Liverpoolshould up the ante in their pursuit of Goncalo Inacio as theSportingstar would be a ‘perfect addition’ at Anfield, journalistJacque Talbothas told GIVEMESPORT.
The Reds have been busy during the early weeks of the transfer window, with Alexis Mac Allister joining for aninitial fee of £35millionand Dominik Szoboszlai completing a£60million switchfrom RB Leipzig, but boss Jurgen Klopp is seeking further reinforcements.
According toSpanish sources,Liverpoolhave set their sights on signing Inacio after their interest has refused to go away since he worked his way onto Klopp’s radar in January.
The ɾєρօɾτ suggests Sporting are willing to sell the central defєɴԀer for £39million, but only if the fee is paid in one lump sum, while Arsenal are also mulling over whether to head to the negotiating table.
Newcastle United areexploring a potential movefor Inacio as well, with head coach Eddie Howe seeking more strength in depth at St James’ Park.
Respected journalist Pete O’Rourke recentlytold GIVEMESPORTthat Wolverhampton Wanderers are likely to be eyeing the Portugal international.
It is understood that Inacio, who has plenty of options ahead of potentially swapping his homeland for the Premier League, has a£51.5million release clausewritten into his Sporting contract.
What has Jacque Talbot said about Inacio?
Talbot believes Inacio would be an exciting signing forLiverpoolas they seek a long-term partner for Virgil van Dijk at the heart of their backline.
The journalist feels the 21-year-old is eager to head to the Premier League, potentially boosting the Reds’ chances of striking a Ԁєɑł with Sporting.
When asked whetherLiverpoolshould up the ante in their pursuit, Talbot told GIVEMESPORT:”100%. Inacio is one they liked in January and I think that he’d be a perfect addition.
“I don’t think that his release clause is that high. He would be looking for a move over to the Premier League. He is quite young and a ball-playing centre-back. He is relatively cheap as well.”
Would Inacio improve Liverpool’s defence?
FBrefdata highlights that Inacio averaged more blocks and fewer errors – along with a better pass completion ratio – per 90 minutes thanLiverpoolduo Ibrahima Konate and Joel Matip last season.
As a result, it could be argued that the£17,000-per-weektalent would be an upgrade and the first-choice partner for van Dijk if the Merseyside giants can get the Ԁєɑł over the line.
Sofascorestatistics show Inacio averaged 1.9 clearances, 1.4 interceptions and 1.2 tackles as he helped Sporting to keep seven clean sheets in the Portuguese top flight during the 2022/23 campaign.
11 goalsand recorded a further eight assists for his current employers.
Those are impressive numbers for a defєɴԀer, while Inacio has liftedfour trophiesduring the early stages of his career, so he would head toLiverpoolwith a winning mentality.
