[🚨] BREAKING: Liverpool have just made a formal offer to Porto for Alan Varela. The first communication to find out his situation had already been made in April. The Argentine duo is coming in the RED midfield

Liverpool stance on Alan Varela transfer on deadline day after bombshell claims

Liverpool is not in fact looking to bring in Porto midfielder Alan Varela, despite bombshell reports suggesting the Reds had an offer on the table for the 23-year-old

Liverpool is not making a late attempt to acquire Alan Varela

Liverpool is not making a late attempt to acquire Alan Varela

Liverpool.com – The biggest LFC opinion and analysis

Liverpool is not readying a last-ditch move to land Porto midfielder Alan Varela, despite rumours suggesting the Reds made a formal offer to acquire his talents.

According to Spanish journalist Luis Fregossi, the Reds first began looking into a possible pursuit of Varela and inquired about his availability back in April. The 23-year-old has a release clause worth $72m (£55m/€65m) and has drawn considerable interest from multiple clubs.

On Thursday, hearsay suggesting a union between Liverpool and Varela once again picked up steam, with some suggesting there was even a formal offer on the table for the Porto captain. But The Athletic swiftly put out the rumors, asserting that the Reds were not planning any move to get him.

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Argentine journalist Cesar Luis Merlo expressed a similar sentiment, claiming that Porto informed Liverpool that Varela was not for sale. He was declared “non-transferrable” by the Portuguese club, which intends on improving his contract that’s set to expire in 2028.

Given Arne Slot’s need for a defensive midfielder, the acquisition of Varela would make a lot of sense. The Argentine impressed with Porto during his first campaign in Europe after departing Boca Juniors, shining versus Arsenal in the Champions League and drawing comparisons to former Liverpool star Javier Mascherano.

In 30 matches played last season – 28 of which were starts – Varela recorded two goals and three assists. So far this year, he’s started in all three of Porto’s Superliga games.

Alan Varela has started in all three games for Porto this year

Alan Varela has started in all three games for Porto this year

This isn’t the first defensive midfielder that Liverpool has missed out on in this year’s transfer window. The Reds’ main transfer target this summer, Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, shot down a move to Anfield several weeks back.

Despite missing out on Varela, Liverpool has kept busy as of late. The Reds brought on winger Frederico Chiesa from Juventus, with the deal reportedly worth €12 million ($13.3m) plus an additional €3m in add-ons.