Liverpool have been constantly linked with a move for Sporting CP ace Goncalo Inacio this year, and it looks as though their interest isn’t going away.
Jurgen Klopp specifically focused on on revamping his midfield during the summer transfer window, with five established players leaving the club, including Fabino, Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita.
In their place came Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch, all of whom have helped make a positive difference this season.
Liverpool’s next area of focus arguably needs to be on the defence, and in particular signing a centre-back who can also fill in effectively at left-back.
It is Inacio who has emerged as one of the Reds’ standout contenders to come in and bolster the back-line, and now a fresh update has emerged regarding their pursuit of him.
According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are plotting to seal the signing of the 22-year-old once January rolls around, having tracked him for some time:
“Goncalo Inacio is re-emerging as a January defender target for Liverpool as Jurgen Klopp seeks a new defensive partner for Virgil van Dijk, but the Reds will be forced to pay up, TEAMtalk has learned.
“Liverpool are keen to add another option to their defence after a summer of rebuilding their squad. Key players left and a new midfield took priority leaving manager Jurgen Klopp in need of defensive reinforcements.
[…]
“The Reds have scouted and watched the defender for over two years.”
Our thoughts on Liverpool snapping up Inacio in January…
Inacio really does look like the No.1 option for Liverpool moving forward, considering he ticks the aforementioned boxes of being able to shine at centre-back and left-back.
The former is his most common position, and he has started 10 Primeira Liga games there this season – he has four Europa League starts, too – and he could be the perfect long-term replacement for Virgil van Dijk.
At just 22, Inacio is already a hugely experienced footballer, making 139 appearances for Sporting and winning four caps for Portugal, and he has scored 11 times for his club and twice for his country for good measure.
Inacio will cost Liverpool a lot of money, especially as he isn’t out of contract until the summer of 2027, but he could be worth breaking the bank for, such is his vast potential as a player.
