Blow for Liverpool as 21-year-old target signs new contract with €60m clause

Liverpool target Goncalo Inacio signs a new contract with a release clause

As per a tweet from Fabrizio Romano, Sporting CP defender Goncalo Inacio signs a new contract with the club amidst interest from Liverpool.

The new contract has a release clause of €60m attached. So, if a club wants to sign him, there is a direct route to do that before agreeing on personal terms.

Inacio has been a subject of interest for not just Liverpool but also Manchester United and Newcastle United in the Premier League.

The Portuguese centre-back is a versatile player who can either play as a central defender in a back four, as a left-sided centre-back in the back three and as a left-back in a back four.

The 21-year-old is a technically strong footballer who is good on the ball, can read the game well to snuff out dangers and possesses decent pace to match the runs of the opposition forwards in transition.

As a young defender, Inacio has already played a lot of games at the senior level. Having made his debut during the 2020/21 season, he has made 123 appearances in all competitions for Sporting.

In this new hybrid system, Liverpool need a player of his profile to come and play as a left-sided centre-back.

As of now, Andrew Robertson has been tasked to play that role. While the Scotsman was a fantastic player for the Reds when operating as an orthodox left-back, he is struggling with positioning in this new role.

Even against Chelsea in the opening game of the season, Robertson had issues with whether to stay back and stick with his centre-backs or play as a natural left-back when the team is in possession.

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Having had the experience of playing in both positions, Inacio has what it takes to do well there for Liverpool. While the new contract news might be a bummer, the mention of the release clause keeps things interesting.