Arne Slot plans to kickstart Liverpool era with signing of £51m superstar

Slot wants Inacio as his first signing at Anfield

Liverpool can officially sign newer players with the Premier League’s transfer window having opened on June 14th. Arne Slot is expected to shoulder massive expectations as Jurgen Klopp’s successor but will receive the necessary backing in the transfer market.

Caught Offside has reported that the new manager wants the club to sign Gonzalo Inacio from Sporting Lisbon as his maiden transfer. The Reds have been monitoring the Portuguese for the better part of the last one year and were even pondering over a switch for him in January this year.

Inacio, however, preferred to stay in Lisbon owing to personal reasons in the winter but at the back of a phenomenal campaign in the Liga NOS, the defender is ready to make his next move. The Premier League is widely tipped to be his next destination, with Manchester United likely to rival Liverpool for his transfer.

Inacio has a release clause worth £51 million which is well within Liverpool’s reach. It is not known yet whether or not the club will pay the amount or open talks with Sporting Lisbon to negotiate a lower price. Regardless, they are the favourites to sign the 22-year-old ahead of Man United.

A central defender’s signing is imperative for Liverpool, who recently lost Joel Matip as a free agent. Virgil van Dijk’s contract also expires in June 2025 and renewal talks between the club and the player have stagnated amid interest from Saudi Arabia for the Dutch international.

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Inacio’s signing would secure one position in the heart of Liverpool’s defence for a number of years and it could only be a matter of time before the Reds bring in another fresh face to partner with him in the backline. A transfer for him may have to wait until the end of Euro 2024, though, as he is busy at the event with Portugal.