The Portuguese media today reports that Liverpool have joined the race for Sporting defender Gonçalo Inácio.
According to newspaper Correio da Manhã, the Reds sent a scout to see the defender in action last weekend, when the Lions played Porto.
It’s claimed that following this observation, Liverpool ‘could’ now move for the defender at the end of the season.
The good news for the Reds is that Sporting are unlikely to qualify for the Champions League next season. That means a blow to their budget, and they’ll have to fix that with the sale of an important player. Correio da Manhã says Inácio is one who could leave for that reason.
The centre-back is protected by a €45m release clause, but it isn’t said how much Sporting would demand for him. He’s valued by Transfermakrt at €23m.
Correio da Manhã takes claims from the British press which recently said Liverpool have a list of names to replace Virgil van Dijk which includes Josko Gvardiol, Jarrad Branthwaite, and Antonio Silva. They point out that Inácio seems to be the cheapest of those on the table.
