Sporting CP defender Goncalo Inacio is a transfer target for Manchester United, but Liverpool have now begun their pursuit of the Portugal international.
Liverpool have sent scouts to assess Sporting CP defender Goncalo Inacio, who is also a Manchester United transfer target.
Jürgen Klopp’s central quartet includes Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate, Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk, but the latter two are years away and there are plans to find long-term replacements for the position.
Reports earlier this year suggested that the Reds are the English club making the biggest push to sign Ignacio, who is now in the Portugal squad and have made inquiries for him. Paris Saint-Germain is another club believed to be interested in the player.
The Portuguese defender had previously been mooted as a possible replacement for Harry Maguire at Old Trafford, but the former United captain stuck with Erik ten Hag after his move to West Ham fell through despite the club agreeing a £30m fee. Ten Hag are determined to strengthen their position next summer after a number of players left this summer, including Phil Jones, Axel Tuanzebe, Eric Bailly and Teden Mengi. The form problems of Raphael Varane and the long injury absences of Lisandro Martinez.
However, Liverpool are also increasing their long-term interest in Inaco. Last week, the Merseyside club sent scouts to watch the defender, who played against Bosnia in Portugal. Playing alongside Ruben Dias in the center of Portugal’s defence, Inacio had a quiet night as his side conceded five goals, all of which came in the first half.
Inaco is represented by Miguel Pinho, the agent who also represents Bruno Fernandes and negotiated the deal that took the playmaker to Old Trafford in January 2020. It is clear, however, that neither the agent nor Sporting are interested in a winter move this season.
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Inacio, 22, has made 129 appearances for the Lisbon giants and is highly regarded at the club. The sport has a proud tradition of producing young talent before selling them for a significant price: including Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Nani to United in earlier years. Part of the reason he is so highly rated is his composure and playing from the back while being predominantly left-footed. Van Dijk, who is ten years older than Inaco, often starts here at Liverpool – this interest is a possible indicator of the club’s long-term strategy.
Liverpool and United have been tracking similar players over the past year, with Klopp’s side beating their rivals to sign PSV’s Cody Gakpo in January, while United won the battle to sign midfielder Sofyan Amrabat.
