Sporting have made extending reported Liverpool target Goncalo Incacio’s contract a top priority.
Inacio is said to be one of the names prominently featured on Liverpool’s list of potential centre-back additions this summer. But according to O Jogo, his club are desperate to get as much as they can for the 21-year-old.
With three years to run on his current deal, Inacio reportedly has a release clause of around £39m. Not a huge fee for a player who’s seen as one of the top prospects in his position.
This relatively low figure is said to be enticing potential suitors ahead of the summer. Sporting are supposedly wary of club’s ‘taking advantage’ of the clause. As a result, they reportedly intend to raise it to between £53m and £70m, adding an extra year on the deal, too.
Although Inacio is claimed to be happy in Lisbon, a new agreement won’t necessarily be easy to find.
The player is said to be planning his future at one of Europe’s top clubs. He could reportedly see the new clause as prohibiting him from making a move to fulfil that.
Up until now, Newcastle United are claimed to be the club most interested in Inacio. However, the Portugal international supposedly has ‘no interest’ in a move to Tyneside. Manchester United are also named as another potential suitor. Liverpool are not on this occasion, but have been heavily linked in previous weeks.
Liverpool looking to pounce on Inacio bargain
Inacio looks to be one of the names being considered by Liverpool to potentially succeed Virgil van Dijk. As a left-footer, he could be seen as a long-term option to fill the Dutchman’s shoes.
Still only twenty-one and already an international and a league winner at his club, he maybe has the potential to do that. But £70m would definitely put Liverpool off.
At £39m, it would be a different story. Should Sporting fail to agree an extension with Inacio, he could even be on the market for cheaper still. In that instance, he’d be well worth Liverpool taking a closer look.
This summer, upgrading the midfield is clearly the Reds’ number one priority. But improvements in the defence cannot be ignored as well. If a player like Inacio is available at a good price, Liverpool should seriously consider him.