Liverpool are reportedly in the conversation to sign Sporting CP centre-back Goncalo Inacio at the end of the season, with Manchester United also keen.
Ibrahima Konate may end up signing a new Reds deal, but even if he does, another central defender wouldn’t be a bad thing, especially if Joe Gomez leaves after 11 years at Anfield.
Jeremy Jacquet is arriving from Rennes, while highly-rated Giovanni Leoni is battling his way back from serious injury, but Virgil van Dijk turns 35 this summer and needs to be handled with care from this point on.
According to a new report from Gazzetta dello Sport, Liverpool are keen on signing long-time rumoured transfer target Inacio from Sporting when the season reaches its conclusion.
They are willing to pay the £51.9m release clause in his contract, with the Portuguese high on the list of defensive options for various clubs, including the Reds and Premier League rivals United.
Goncalo Inacio coming into his peak years
As mentioned, Liverpool have been linked with a move for Inacio plenty of times in recent years, with journalist Fabrizio Romano once claiming Reds scouts have eyed him for some time:
“We mentioned Goncalo Inacio, who is a player the scouting department of Liverpool already knows very well because he’s been scouted for years I would say. So for sure, they are well informed. And then there is also some other names, for sure.”
Now 24 years of age, Inacio should be coming into his prime years, and it is easy to see why the Reds rate him highly, with scout Jacek Kulig describing him as “excellent” back in 2023.
The one potential issue is that the Portugal international will want to be a regular starter for Liverpool, which may be tougher, given the Van Dijk and Konate partnership, and the fact that Jacquet and Leoni will also be aiming for plenty of playing time.
For that reason, Liverpool should arguably only target Inacio if Konate leaves in the summer, or the money should be spent on strengthening other positions, whether it be a central midfielder or finding the perfect long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah on the right wing.