Liverpool will now have to pay £52m if they want to sign ‘amazing’ player in January

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Liverpool will have to pay the full release clause for Goncalo Inacio if they want to sign him in January.

The Reds have been linked with a move for Inacio as he continues to excel at Sporting.

They’re not the only one who reportedly want to sign the 22-year-old. In recent days Real Madrid have emerged as a potential challenger, with Manchester United also seemingly keen on him.

But according to Portuguese outlet O Jogo, Sporting will only allow Inacio to leave if his £52m release clause is met.

Due to his importance to the team, the Lisbon side reportedly won’t entertain the centre-back’s sale. As a result, paying Inacio’s exit fee will be the only way to get him out during the winter.

Liverpool are name-checked as one of the interested teams, as well as Madrid and United.

Sporting demand full fee for Inacio

Considering how well thought of Inacio is – he’s been called ‘amazing’ by journalist Fabrizio Romano – it’s unlikely that Liverpool will get a discount on him next summer.

Consequently, they’ll know that if they want to sign him, £52m is the price they’ll have to pay.

Because of this, we don’t think the Portugal international is a realistic choice for Liverpool any longer. Certainly not in the January market, anyway.

After the emergence of Jarell Quansah as a fifth centre-back option, it’s debatable whether the Reds really need another defender immediately anyway.

Quansah has done well enough to be given the rest of the season to prove that.

With Joel Matip’s future still in doubt beyond the summer though, and Virgil van Dijk turning 33 next year, we do think Liverpool will be in the market for a centre-back before next season.

If Inacio is still available, then perhaps he’ll be looked at then. But given the competition for him and the hefty price, we’d suggest that the Reds may look elsewhere.

Andre Trindade feels like a much more likely January addition. Beyond that, it probably depends on whether either United or Real are keen to pay full whack for Inacio. In order to get him, they’re going to have to.