According to Fabrizio Romano, Allan Varela’s (23-year-old) contract, which might be terminated, is worth £54 million (€65 million). Do you think Liverpool will sign him?

Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is allegedly in talks with FC Porto about making Alan Varela the first new arrival under Arne Slot at Anfield, but his signing might be offset by a 22-year-old talent who believes his career is being hindered on Merseyside.

The Slot era at Anfield officially begins on Saturday, June 1, with the start of the Dutchman’s initial three-year contract. Michael Edwards chose the 45-year-old as the finest candidate to succeed the renowned Jurgen Klopp, and he will try to build on his predecessor’s tremendous work and success at Liverpool.

And, while he inherits a Liverpool group in poor health, Slot has identified a number of vital methods to enhance the team and ensure the Reds can improve on the previous season, which finished on a low note.

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To clear the decks, Slot, along with Edwards and Hughes, has agreed that Joel Matip, Adrian, and Thiago Alcantara can all leave Anfield when their contracts expire, with replacements likely to be found.

Slot has already recommended several choices in each position, and TEAMtalk knows that the Dutchman, along with Hughes and Edwards, has created a pecking list of potential candidates for each position.

A new attacker may still be recruited, but this would only happen if one of their big-name stars left. As things stand, there is some question around Mo Salah, whom Slot wants to keep, Luis Diaz, and Darwin Nunez.

However, Slot has identified a new No. 6 post as a priority.

Liverpool struggled to cover the position last season, with Alexis MacAllister first requested to play as their deepest midfielder before Klopp realised the Argentine’s best position was as a No 8.

Wataru Endo, another summer signing, needed some time to acclimatise in but quickly proved his worth, despite being in and out of the team.

At 31, however, the Japan international is viewed as a short-term solution.

As a result, Slot is prioritising the acquisition of a new holding midfielder, and a respected Argentinian journalist has stated that talks are underway to bring Porto star Varela to Anfield.

The 22-year-old only joined Porto in August 2023, signing for a bargain €8 million from Boca Juniors, plus a further €3 million in add-ons.

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The Argentina international has swiftly established himself as one of the greatest No 6s in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, attracting the attention of several prominent clubs.

Among them is Liverpool, and according to Eduardo Burgos, Reds sporting director Hughes has already begun conversations over a transaction.

His buyout clause is set at €70 million (£59.7 million), which the Reds appear willing to fulfil, with Boca receiving a part of any deal.

Varela is yet to make his senior international debut for Argentina, but he will be included in the squad for this summer’s Paris Olympics, with the Reds eager to secure his signing before the competition begins on Wednesday, July 24.

Sepp van den Berg requests Liverpool’s exit.

With Slot preparing to examine his team following the summer break, one player he will unlikely be able to rely on is Sepp van den Berg, who has undergone a number of loan periods since joining Liverpool in 2019.

The most recent of these occurred with Mainz, and now the 22-year-old, who has only four LFC matches to his name, is determined to retire.

According to a report by De Telegraaf, Van den Berg believes his career is being hindered by the Reds and that he now understands he needs to go on to the next level.

A permanent move to Mainz has been discussed, but the Reds’ estimated €20 million asking price seemed to put them off.

In his report, Marcel van der Kraan noted: “But here too, the well-spoken and down-to-earth Dutchman does not want to be used as a plaything again. He sees it this way: ‘You have not radiated confidence in me all this time, but you do want to hinder my future. I want to continue playing every week and further develop myself.

“All the broken promises from his club have not made him bitter, but they have caused the love for Liverpool to cool down.

“Arne Slot wants to see him at work in the preparation, just like his predecessor Klopp. But Van den Berg wants to choose his own path and make a transfer. He is now one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga, and also one of the four fastest central defenders in that competition.

“As a result, clubs in Germany, the Netherlands and England are queuing up. He wants to make his own choice.”

Question 1Alexis Mac Allister cost Liverpool an initial £35m. Was the initial price they paid for Diogo Jota higher or lower?Use Hint