Alan Varela’s ‘new Sergio Busquets’ moniker tells you, if not everything you need to know about the latest fresh-faced midfielder to emerge from Argentine football, then certainly enough.
Excellent on and off the ball, the 21-year-old Boca Juniors battle-axe orchestrates proceedings from his favoured role in the centre circle, setting a rhythmic tempo in a manner reminiscent of Barcelona’s legendary three-time Champions League winner. With Busquets now 34, Varela feels like a fitting successor at the Camp Nou.
But the La Liga giants, Sport say, are not alone in targeting the latest in an increasingly long line of gifted Albiceleste playmakers. Benfica, they add, ‘have been negotiating with Varela’s entourage for months’. The Portuguese league leaders could have an advantage over Barcelona, Ajax and co too, having already plucked Enzo Fernandez from Boca’s bitter rivals River Plate plate this year.
Fernandez’s remarkable rise to prominence at the Estadio da Luz will not have gone unnoticed by Varela’s camp. From relative unknown to World Cup finalist, Enzo’s price-tag has soared as rapidly as his reputation. Benfica paid £18 million. These days, it would take offers in the region of £100 million to take Enzo away from Lisbon.
£103 million, to be precise. Benfica have made it clear that they will not be selling Fernandez for a penny less than his release clause. Not that such a hardline stance appears to have put Liverpool off.
Benfica might have found replacement as Liverpool ‘agree’ Enzo Fernandez deal
The Merseysiders, per La Capital, have already agreed a deal with Enzo Fernandez himself. O Jogo, meanwhile, report that Liverpool will also match any of the bids put forward by rival suitors.
Amid Liverpool’s increasing obsession with Fernandez, it’s tempting to wonder whether Varela is a replacement for his fellow 21-year-old Argentine or merely a potential partner. The similarities between both players certainly do not feel like a coincidence.
Varela and Enzo both love to drive forward from deep, and can dribble, tackle, pass and shoot in equal measure. They also occupy largely the same position on the pitch.
“After the World Cup, he will think about what is best for him,” former Argentina ace Enzo Perez tells Record of his namesake; quizzed about whether Fernandez is ready for a big-money move so soon after joining Benfica.
“I’ve no doubt that, due to his qualities (he can succeed). I know him well. I know very well that he will do things well, wherever he goes.
“When he left (River Plate), it didn’t take him long to adapt to Benfica. He quickly settled down (and started to do) what he wanted to do.
“If he decides to change leagues, obviously everything takes time. But let’s hope that the adaptation is as easy as possible, and that he continues to grow as a player.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
