Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp are reportedly ramping up their interest in Sporting Lisbon defender Gonçalo Inácio after sending scouts to watch the Portuguese defender in action in recent weeks, according to reports.
The Reds are in need of a defensive revamp, with Joel Matip and Joe Gomez both failing to inspire confidence this season and both Ibrahim Konate and Virgil Van Dijk having suffered more than their fair share of injuries.
And, while all of the focus has been on the major problem area that is midfield, Liverpool’s backline has quietly gone under the radar, with the club having conceded 28 goals this season, the same number as Brighton and one more than West Ham United, who sit 16th.
With Van Dijk and Matip both now 31 years old, it is an area that needs strengthening, and to that end the Reds have drawn up a list of options topped by Josko Gvardiol, though they fear that they may be priced out of a move for the RB Leipzig man, especially if they want to stand any chance of landing long-term target Jude Bellingham.
To that end, reports in Portugal claim that the Reds have sent scouts over in recent weeks to watch Inacio, who is believed to have a 45m euro release clause written into his Sporting contract.
A 21-year-old left-footed centre-back, he would offer Klopp something different in defence, while his age would him a potentially shrewd investment, especially when partnered with 23-year-old Konate.
Inacio has also previously been linked to Manchester United, though the arrival of Lisandro Martinez last summer from Ajax and Luke Shaw’s performances on the left side of defence have likely persuaded the Red Devils that other areas, such as central midfield and goalkeeper, need more attention first.
