Goncalo Inacio, a talented defender for Sporting Lisbon, is a target for Liverpool, and the manager may have to wait a bit longer than he would want to get him.
At the top of the standings, the Reds are hoping to win their second Premier League title under Klopp’s direction and their first in four years. Liverpool’s tenacious victory at Crystal Palace on Saturday demonstrated their unwavering perseverance, as evidenced by their 18 points gained this season despite starting the campaign in losing positions.
Klopp’s team is now the Premier League comeback champions as a result.
Though Klopp will surely be pleased with that resolve, Liverpool’s defence is having a lot of problems in the middle after Joel Matip suffered a season-ending injury. Matip’s contract is set to expire in the summer, so there are worries that this may have been his final game with the team. However, Klopp has stated that he thinks the Reds will “do the right thing” and extend the defender’s deal by one year.
However, that does not assist their current circumstances, and with Andy Robertson now out of the picture, the Reds defence that played at Selhurst Park looked a little strange.
In order to achieve this, Klopp gave rookie Jarell Quansah an unusual start in the middle of defence with Virgil van Dijk. And Liverpool’s lack of options there is starting to show, with Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate both starting on the bench despite being called upon.
And if any more of their defenders suffer injuries, Liverpool might find itself in a very precarious scenario.
In just 21 days, the January transfer market will begin, giving Klopp a swift opportunity to make any necessary additions to his squad. A report from Saturday stated that Liverpool had shortlisted three defenders for a 2024 transfer list.
The Reds have been scouting Inacio for almost two years, so there is one exceptional name that stands out on that three-man list.
The Portugal defender is the player Klopp would most like to buy in the winter transfer window, as we previously reported in November.
Perhaps more costly than Liverpool would have preferred, the 22-year-old has a €60 million (£51.5 million) release clause in his contract.
However, Sporting Libson has made it clear that Inacio cannot leave unless that release clause is fulfilled. As a result, Liverpool must decide whether to pay that amount in January or risk waiting until the summer, when a) additional suitors may become interested and b) Sporting CP may try to further extend that contract.
Reflecting on their tricky situation, journalist Dean Jones, speaking to GIVEMESPORT, has confirmed their interest in Inacio, but fears they may well have to wait until the summer to seal his signing.
“Yeah, centre-back is definitely an area that Liverpool are having to contemplate as we get towards the new year,” Jones said.
“Whether that will be in January, I don’t know. It’s probably more likely to be in the summer if they’re going to go for someone like Goncalo Inacio, who is going to cost a lot of money and there’s going to be a decent level of competition to sign him.
“Manchester United really like him but Liverpool are definitely scouting him as well. And if that’s the sort of level of defender that they’re looking to go for, then you’re probably going to have to wait until the summer transfer window to make a move like that.”
Should the Reds decide that his asking price is too steep and a summer move would suit them better, that would open the door for the likes of United to pounce for his signature too.
It would also give Liverpool that bit longer to assess their options too, while other potential options – such as Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi – could also come under consideration in the summer months.
Despite the caution expressed by Jones, Liverpool do have a solid history of successful signings made in the January window. Luis Suarez, Philippe Coutinho, Virgil van Dijk, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo are just some of their most recent examples. Now fans, and Klopp, will hope Inacio could be the next name on that illustrious list.
