From Argentina: Liverpool hold strong interest in FC Porto defensive midfielder

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Liverpool and Manchester United have been credited with a significant interest in the Argentinian. Image Credits: Imago ImagesA big reason for Liverpool’s success last season was their dominant midfield.This season, despite the centre of the pitch consisting of the exact same players, only Dominik Szoboszlai has been able to replicate the form of 2024/25.Ryan Gravenberch has struggled in his second season as Liverpool’s first choice holding midfielder and Alexis Mac Allister has looked a shell of the player he was during Arne Slot’s debut campaign.Whilst Ryan Gravenberch recently signed a long-term contract extension with the Reds, Alexis Mac Allister has been linked with a move away this summer.Paul Joyce recently revealed that talks to renew the Argentinian’s contract have not taken place which casts doubt over the player’s future on Merseyside.Alexis Mac Allister was seen as a major coup when he arrived at Anfield in 2023.At that time, he was showing real promise at Brighton, and he built on that during his first two seasons at Liverpool.It has to be said that the entire team has struggled this season, but Mac Allister has been particularly disappointing given his brilliance last year.With reports circling that he could be on his way out this summer, as well as Curtis Jones, Liverpool have been credited with a strong interest in FC Porto midfielder Alan Varela.The 24-year-old has developed into one of Porto’s key midfielders and is attracting growing interest from Liverpool as well as Manchester United ahead of this summer’s transfer window.Prominent Argentine sports journalist German Garcia Grova revealed the news on X, saying that:“Alan Varela would leave Porto in this transfer window.

Man Utd, Liverpool and other clubs are after the Argentine midfielder according to European media reports. His contract with the Portuguese team expires in June 2030.”Given the amount of time left on his contract, FC Porto would hold the high ground in any negotiations with Liverpool, potentially leading to an inflated transfer fee if the Reds were to pursue a deal.Varela has impressed since moving to FC Porto in 2023 from Boca Juniors.Mac Allister and Jones’ departures have been discussed, and Varela could bolster Liverpool’s midfield department.His primary position is a holding midfielder, a position currently occupied by Ryan Gravenberch but with Varela’s potential arrival, Gravenberch could move further up the pitch.It has been noted that the fact that Gravenberch is playing out of his natural position has started to show this season and moving him further up the pitch could allow him more attacking freedom.Gravenberch has shown this season that he has an eye for goal, scoring six goals.🚨Alan Varela dejaría #Porto en éste mercado de pases.📍#ManUtd, #Liverpool y otros clubes están detrás del mediocentro 🇦🇷 según reportan medios europeos.📌Su contrato con el equipo de 🇵🇹 caduca en Junio 2030 pic.twitter.com/okM4gbqJ8b— Germán García Grova (@GerGarciaGrova) May 15, 2026 Alan Varela