Liverpool could sign Sporting CP centre-back Goncalo Inacio for as little as £40m in the summer transfer window, according to a new update.
The Reds will look to bring in some eye-catching signings once the current campaign is over, with the new manager ensuring that the right individuals come in.
As things stand, Sporting boss Ruben Amorim is the current front-runner to replace Jurgen Klopp in the summer, as the Portuguese lies on the cusp of guiding his team to the Primeira Liga title.
If the 39-year-old does come in, it could be that he decides to bring some of his current players with him to Anfield, with a number of key figures within the team.
One player who falls into that bracket is Inacio, who has again enjoyed an impressive season for Sporting, starting 22 league games and also scoring three times in the Europa League.
Liverpool have constantly been linked with a move for the centre-back, and according to Football Insider and their reporter Pete O’Rourke, the Reds could now to look to snap him up for a cut-price amount:
“Liverpool can sign Sporting Lisbon ace and Ruben Amorim favourite Goncalo Inacio for £40million, sources have told Football Insider.”
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“O’Rourke believes Liverpool can snap up Inacio for £40million, with that price tag coming due to the player being a Portugal international and also playing on the left side of central defence, a position lacking in star names.”
Our thoughts on Liverpool’s move for Inacio…
Inacio feels like a brilliant option for Liverpool this summer, especially if Amorim is the man to succeed Klopp in the Anfield hot seat.
He would be a signing who he knows so well as a player, easing the chances of him being a risky addition, and there are so many positives that he could bring to the Reds’ team.
Inacio is strong in possession, completing 88.5% of his passes in the league this season, and the fact that he is a left-sided centre-back means he could bring balance to the team.
At 22, the Portugal international could also be seen as a long-term replacement for Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the defence, with a replacement for the Dutchman needing to be found eventually.
It has been rumoured that Inacio has a €60m (£52m) release clause in his contract, so getting him on the cheap would feel like an added bonus.
