Liverpool are making progress in the negotiations for Goncalo Inacio amidst Virgil van Dijk exit talk

Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk has set alarm bells off following his comments regarding a potential Anfield exit summer, with the club also making contingency plans by identifying Goncalo Inacio as a replacement.

The Reds are set to shake up their centre-back roster having already lost Joel Matip on a free. With Van Dijk also now calling his future into question, the Reds cannot afford to go into the 2024/25 campaign with just Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate and Jarell Quansah as centre-back options.

Van Dijk has been the club’s defensive cornerstone over the last few years and replacing him will be a huge ask of any player. However, the Dutchman isn’t getting any younger and would have needed phasing out sooner rather than later. If it is to be this summer, so be it.

According to Caught Offside, Liverpool are making progress in their negotiations for Sporting CP star Goncalo Inacio. The Portuguese international has been on the Reds’ radar for a while now and it would appear we have reignited that interest.

At just 22, Inacio has a bright future ahead of him and is already one of the brightest talents in Iberia. Both Arsenal and Manchester United were keen on him as well but it would appear that the Reds are leading the chase at the moment.

Inachio has a €60m release clause in his contract but there is optimism on Merseyside that this is negotiable. A left-footed centre-back, the 22-year-old will certainly open up new passing lanes on our left flank while also offering a long-term solution to the role. While it remains to be seen if he can replace Van Dijk’s personality, the talent is clear for all to see.

The Portuguese international is not the only centre-back under consideration at Anfield. The Reds are also keeping an eye on OGC Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo, Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, and Eintracht Frankfurt star Willian Pacho. However, Piero Hincapie is not on the list at this moment.

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While losing a player of Van Dijk’s ability is never good, we cannot dawdle on the concern should it crop up and must keep moving forward. The Dutchman’s powers are clearly on the wane and emotion should not [recent us from building for the future. After all, regardless of his decision to stay, bringing in another centre-back is a must.

It remains to be seen if Sepp van den Berg will change his mind should Van Dijk depart. The youngster is seeking regular playing time and the skipper’s exit could very well open up that path. For now, there is little context that has been made available regarding Van Dijk’s comments and it should become clearer in the coming days.