Liverpool scouts in attendance to watch Sporting CP star and Arsenal target Goncalo Inacio
As has been the case since the summer, Liverpool continue to keep an eye on Sporting CP’s centre-back Goncalo Inacio who is also attracting attention from Arsenal. The 22-year-old Portuguese international perfectly fits the bill for the Reds considering what Jurgen Klopp needs to give a sense of structure and ensure that the backline at the club is one for the future.
Our current options in centre-back include club captain Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah. Joel Matip’s ACL rupture leaves us with these four options to choose from. The potential induction of Inacio to this is surely exciting.
Let’s consider the case that vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold will continue to play that inverted full-back role which started in the game against Arsenal at home last season. For that to become a success, we need a left full-back who’s much more defensive than both, Andrew Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas.
That job would be right up Inacio‘s alley. A strong and tall left-footed centre-back who can also play as a left-back is exactly what Liverpool need if they plan to invert Trent permanently. If that is the case, we will have three centre-backs in transition and four out-of-possession guarding Alisson between the sticks.
Inacio to the Reds?
Liverpool continuing to monitor his situation just before the January transfer window is surely a piece of good news for the Reds. In fact, the scouts from the Merseysiders were in attendance during Sporting’s recent 3-0 win against Sturm Graz. That is as per Record who go on to claim that the centre-back has a €60m release clause in his contract. Inacio scored two goals in the 45 minutes that he played and displayed his defensive prowess as well.
The youngster is also on the agenda of Manchester United and Newcastle, who are also looking for reinforcements for the centre of defence. Arsenal are also showing interest in securing his services which means Liverpool certainly won’t have a clear path in their pursuit of the player.
As the January transfer window approaches, Liverpool’s interest in Inacio remains a positive development for the Reds. While the competition for his services is fierce, the potential benefits he brings to Liverpool’s defensive unit make him a coveted asset.
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Will Inacio become the defensive linchpin Liverpool needs for the future? Only time will tell.
