Manchester United and Liverpool are being linked with Alan Varela after the Porto midfielder gave an interview in Argentina reflecting on his season and future ambitions.
The 24-year-old spoke to La Nación after helping Porto win the Portuguese league title, with the Argentine newspaper mentioning both Premier League clubs while discussing growing interest in the midfielder.
Varela has enjoyed a strong campaign in Portugal after a difficult previous season for Porto, and that turnaround became one of the central themes of the interview.
“It has been a very good season personally and for the team,” he explained.
“We turned the page very well from what happened last year. I think we hit rock bottom because we didn’t fight for any title.”
The midfielder added Porto’s demands quickly became clear to him after arriving from Boca Juniors.
“When you arrive at Porto, people demand titles and good football.”
Liverpool and Manchester United attention
La Nación state Manchester United and Liverpool are among the Premier League clubs paying attention to Varela after his performances this season.
That comes at a moment when the midfielder is also pushing for a place in Argentina’s World Cup squad after making the country’s 55-man preliminary list.
However, Varela attempted to distance himself from transfer speculation during the interview.
“I’m calm and 100% focused here at Porto,” he said.
“My representative deals with all those topics. Right now I’m not thinking about that.”
Instead, the Argentine made it clear his short-term focus is international football.
“My objective is to be in the World Cup squad. Honestly, I’m not thinking about transfers at the moment.”
Alan Varela reflects on Porto adaptation
Alan Varela also discussed his adaptation to European football and insisted the move to Porto felt natural from the beginning.
“I didn’t struggle to adapt,” he explained.
“As soon as I arrived, I started playing. The coach gave me confidence, my teammates trusted me and that allowed me to develop my football.”
For now, the midfielder insists he remains fully focused on Porto. Still, La Nación’s mention of Manchester United and Liverpool shows Premier League interest continues to follow him closely ahead of the summer window.