Liverpool are in discussions to sign an exceptional midfield general as their first acquisition under Slot, as a 22-year-old player seeks to leave Anfield.
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes has reportedly initiated discussions with FC Porto to make Alan Varela the first new signing under Arne Slot at Anfield. However, this acquisition could be somewhat balanced by the departure of a 22-year-old player who feels his career is being hindered at Liverpool.
The Slot era at Anfield officially begins on Saturday, June 1, with the start of the Dutchman’s initial three-year contract. Selected by Michael Edwards as the ideal successor to the legendary Jurgen Klopp, the 45-year-old Slot aims to build on his predecessor’s success at Liverpool.
Although Slot inherits a strong Liverpool squad, he has identified several key areas for improvement to ensure the team performs better than the previous season, which ended on a somewhat disappointing note.
To make room, Slot, Edwards, and Hughes have decided that Joel Matip, Adrian, and Thiago Alcantara can leave Anfield at the end of their contracts, with replacements likely to be sought for all three.
Slot has already recommended several options for each position, and TEAMtalk understands that he, along with Hughes and Edwards, has established a priority list of potential candidates.
A new attacker might also be considered, though this would depend on the departure of one of their star players. Currently, there is uncertainty surrounding Mo Salah—whom Slot wants to retain—as well as Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez.
Liverpool have ‘opened talks’ with Alan Varela
One position Slot has identified as a priority is a new No 6.
Liverpool faced challenges covering the holding midfielder position last season. Alexis Mac Allister initially played as the deepest midfielder, but Klopp soon realized the Argentine was better suited as a No 8. Another summer signing, Wataru Endo, eventually proved his worth, though he was not consistently in the lineup. At 31, Endo is considered a short-term solution.
Consequently, Slot is prioritizing the acquisition of a new holding midfielder. A respected Argentinian journalist has reported that talks are underway for Porto star Alan Varela to join Liverpool. Varela, 22, joined Porto in August 2023 from Boca Juniors for €8m, plus €3m in add-ons. He quickly became one of the best No 6s in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, attracting interest from top clubs, including Liverpool.
According to Eduardo Burgos, Liverpool’s sporting director Hughes has initiated talks for Varela, whose buyout clause is €70m (£59.7m)—a fee Liverpool appears willing to meet, with Boca Juniors entitled to a percentage of any sale. Varela, who has yet to make his senior international debut for Argentina, is set to be part of their squad for the Paris Olympics this summer. Liverpool aims to secure his signature before the competition starts on July 24.
Meanwhile, Sepp van den Berg, who has had multiple loan spells since joining Liverpool in 2019, is demanding an exit. Slot will likely be unable to depend on him when he assesses the squad after the summer break.