Liverpool is interested in the Sporting defence because of his recent seasons of excellent play.
Goncalo Inacio, a “target” for Liverpool, is rumoured to have turned down a Newcastle United approach, opening the door for a summer transfer.
Inacio, 22, has gained a solid reputation for both club and country over the previous few years as a promising star. He is a rising star centre back for Sporting who can play out of the back rather well. He is a modern center-back.
The Athletic had flagged him as a possible target in the summer as Liverpool looked to strengthen at center-back, an even more crucial assignment considering Joel Matip’s expected departure from the team at the end of his current contract. Levi Colwill of Chelsea was one of the other targets, but Inacio is supposedly waiting for Liverpool and other teams to approach him in the summer after Newcastle turned him down.
According to Portuguese site OJogo, Inacio has rejected an approach from Eddie Howe’s side in favour of a move to one of either Real Madrid, Liverpool or Manchester United. Liverpool has already contacted his representatives, but they probably won’t pay the £52 million this month. Instead, they’ll probably do it in the summer when they review their squad’s key choices. But, as we revealed this week, if a bidding battle breaks out, the team might turn to less expensive targets like Ko Itakura, who might be available for significantly less in the summer. However, Inacio is a highly sought-after target who might eventually take Virgil van Dijk’s place at the centre of Liverpool’s defensive. According to reports, Klopp was looking for a left-footed centre defender during the summer, and Inacio, who is six feet one and athletic, matches the description in terms of age and physical attributes.
He averages more progressive passes, more passes attempted, more progressive carries, and more shot-creating actions than Van Dijk, which makes his ball-playing exceptional. However, his 0.6 take-ons per game is quite impressive, and his natural ability to play would be quite beneficial for the left-wing build-up.
Liverpool’s summer will be interesting because a choice about a center-back signing is probably going to be made. With four experienced centre backs who Klopp trusts and admirers who have taken a shine to the academy graduate, Jarell Quansah’s rise has cast some doubt on that.
Sporting leads the Portuguese league, is winning the cup, and has advanced to the Europa League’s round of 32, where they will play Young Boys. If they make it past that, they might be headed for a matchup against Liverpool, which would give supporters and Klopp an opportunity to watch the talent in action against a lethal Liverpool attack.
