Liverpool could be in for a very busy end to the transfer window after leaving all of their business until the final two weeks.
The Reds have had plenty of time to bring in reinforcements ahead of the new season but have so far chosen to stick with what they have.
In one position, that was not for a want of trying. Liverpool looked set to make a top signing in Martin Zubimendi, but the midfielder wanted to stay at Real Sociedad.
Defensive midfield is not the only area of the Liverpool squad which looks a little light going into the season, though. Arne Slot could do with signing another centre-back.
And as the market prepares to enter its final fortnight, the Reds are reportedly pushing ahead to try and tempt another player from his boyhood club.
Liverpool set to make Goncalo Inacio proposal
Liverpool’s need for a new defender has been quite clear for some time. Jarell Quansah has somewhat lessened the urgency, but the Reds need to protect themselves further.
Virgil van Dijk is not getting any younger and has just one year left on his deal, while Ibrahima Konate still has question marks over his injury record.
Sepp van den Berg has impressed Slot throughout pre-season and could yet make up part of Liverpool’s backline. But Van den Berg still looks likely to leave before the transfer deadline later this month.
As a result, the Reds need to start accelerating their plans. Journalist Fabrizio Romano says Liverpool are pushing for a new defender and it may just have been revealed exactly who that is.
READ MORE: James Pearce shares if Liverpool could revive Martin Zubimendi move this summer
Portuguese outlet O Jogo report that Liverpool are ready to move ahead with a deal to sign Sporting centre-back Goncalo Inacio.
Inacio is said to have been ‘on Liverpool’s radar’ for a long time and the Reds are now reportedly set to meet with the 22-year-old’s agent, Miguel Pinho ‘in the coming days.’
Pinho is claimed to be in England to tie up Bruno Fernandes’ new contract at Man United and will supposedly see Liverpool make an offer for Inacio, too.
Although the Portugal international is said to be a ‘key player’ at Sporting and has a £51m release clause in his contract, his club will reportedly allow him to leave for around £38m.
Goncalo Inacio makes sense for Liverpool
Liverpool have been linked with Inacio for a long time now. Given that he still hasn’t made the move to Anfield, though, that would suggest that the Reds are maybe not quite convinced by him.
Nevertheless, we think the Sporting man would make a lot of sense for Liverpool. His price is not too high, he has room to improve and he likely wouldn’t expect to be an immediate starter.
Moreover, Inacio has been described as a ‘amazing’ defender. He would instantly improve the standard of depth in Liverpool’s squad.
With Sporting seemingly willing to let Inacio go for lower than his release clause, this could be another ‘opportunistic’ signing that Richard Hughes is known to be looking for.
Let’s see if anything moves forward in the coming days.
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