The solid start to the season for Liverpool has masked the fact that the club failed to achieve their key objective of the summer transfer window, which was to sign a new defensive midfielder.
Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi was the top midfield target for the Merseyside giants in the last window and the club pushed hard to sign him.
However, the Spain international decided against leaving La Real and is said to be eyeing a potential move to Spanish giants Real Madrid in the near future.
Liverpool decided against bringing in a number six and Ryan Gravenberch has been earning high praise for his performances at the heart of the Reds midfield this season.
However, contrary to popular opinion, Liverpool had other defensive midfielders on their radar in the summer and Varela is one of the players they explored signing in the last window.
However, Porto remained firm about not wanting to lose him and didn’t grant the player a move to Anfield in the summer.
The Liverpool target is now negotiating a new contract with Porto
With Porto keeping Liverpool at bay in the summer, the club are now prepared to reward the player with a new contract.
According to journalist Cesar Luis Merlo, his agent and Porto are now in talks over a new deal for the defensive midfielder.
The negotiations between the two sides are centred on the player getting a pay hike in line with his importance to the Porto team.
The talks are ongoing and the two sides are hoping to finalise the terms of the new deal soon but it is unlikely to be a simple wage increase.
The new deal won’t add any more years to the current deal, which is set to expire in 2028.
Varela has been compared with former Liverpool and Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano who was known for his combative style in the middle of the park.
It remains to be seen whether Liverpool look to rekindle their interest in the player in the upcoming transfer windows.
