Liverpool enter race for South American Barcelona transfer target

Tom Weber

• Updated: 15 Mar 2023 12:20 GMT
• 3 min read

Liverpool have reportedly taken a keen interest in bringing highly-rated Barcelona target Alan Varela to Anfield.

Jürgen Klopp's midfield has looked off the pace on several occasions this season, so the Reds are unsurprisingly scouring the market to freshen up their centre of the park.

In addition to the likes of Jude Bellingham and Joao Palhinha, Liverpool have now reportedly also set their sights on Boca Juniors midfielder Alan Varela.

READ: Liverpool lead Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea in chase for in-form midfielder

They are, however, set to face stiff competition for the 21-year-old Argentine's signature, with Barcelona most prominently linked recently. Nouveau riche Newcastle United are also in the race - and have been for several months - as they seek to take the next step in their development.

Varela has been on Liverpool's radar for a while and scouts have been dispatched to compile accurate reports on the youngster, according to reports. Football Insider reports that "a bid of around £16-20 million is likely to be enough to land the Boca product and that is a price that is attracting suitors."

What does Varela bring to the table?

Alan Varela is yet to make his senior debut for reigning World Cup champions Argentina, but he has nonetheless impressed at Boca Juniors in recent times.

A defensive midfielder with a decent range of passing, Varela would likely be a replacement for Fabinho, who has looked out of his depth for much of this season. At Newcastle, he would partner with Bruno Guimaraes in midfield.

His defensive nature is well illustrated by the fact that Varela has only found the net once at the senior level - but that strike proved to be of some importance: he scored Boca's 8000th goal in club history in a Copa Libertadores fixture last May.

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It seems unlikely that Varela would be an immediate fix to Liverpool's midfield struggles as he would presumably need some time to adjust to Jürgen Klopp's system - which has changed quite a bit lately - and the demands of the Premier League.

But Alan Vera would nonetheless be an exciting option for Liverpool.