Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano continues to link Liverpool with Sporting Lisbon defender Goncalo Inacio despite contradictions amid Manchester United’s interest

Fabrizio Romano stated that Liverpool and Manchester United are scouting Sporting Lisbon defender Goncalo Inacio to sign him this summer. Only Romano has continuously linked the Reds with Inacio despite Mirror journalist David Lynch dismissing the reports of any interest.

Inacio has played a pivotal role for Sporting CP in their Liga Portugal title triumph last season under Ruben Amorim. The 22-year-old enjoyed a steep rise in reputation and established himself in the Portugal national team despite his young age.

The Portuguese international is a modern-day centre-back, capable of distributing and making progressive carries from the backline for his team. Sporting CP plays a possessional football in the 3-4-3 formation with the backline playing a key role in the build-up.

Inacio plays at the left side of the three-man defence, enjoying cover and time on the ball to good use. The 22-year-old is good defensively, but his fellow defenders and Morten Hjulmand often cover for him.

The Portuguese made 49 appearances in all competitions for Sporting CP last season, contributing with four goals and an assist. However, the all-round performance of his teammate Ousmane Diomande overshadowed Inacio last season with Liverpool eyeing the Ivory Coast defender.

Romano told GIVEMESPORT that Liverpool and Man United are scouting Inacio intending to sign him during the summer. He said:

“I would not say main target at this point, because obviously, before you decide the manager, you can’t have a real main target. They had some contacts and conversations about Goncalo Inacio, they’ve been scouting him, Man United and Liverpool, both clubs. They are informed about how his release clause works, it’s 60 million euros (£51m), so they know everything about Inacio and the possibility to bring him in.”

Romano faced criticism from Liverpool fans for recycling news from other Liverpool-associated reporters who are more reliable. Furthermore, the Italian journalist has also faced criticism for using clubs he cannot cover as bait by player’s agents.

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While Liverpool needs a left-footed centre-back to compete with the current defence and eventually succeed Virgil van Dijk, Inacio is an unlikely candidate. Van Dijk enjoys aerial dominance which is one of the weaknesses in Inacio’s game despite his qualities in other aspects.