Liverpool target Goncalo Inacio could be sold for reduced fee in January

Liverpool could secure Goncalo Inacio for a reduced up-front fee, according to one report.

The Reds interest in strengthening their backline is well known.

Having revamped their midfield over the summer, Anfield Watch understands that the Liverpool recruitment team's next priority will be on the defence – with a left-sided centre back high on the agenda in 2024.

22-year-old Inacio has been one such left-sided centre back regularly touted for Liverpool in recent months.

Despite signing a new contract extension with Sporting CP over the summer, speculation over the Portugal international's future has continued due to a €60m (£52m) release clause in his new deal.

Last month it was reported that Liverpool scouts were in the stands to watch Inacio star as Portugal romped to a 5-0 Euro 2024 qualifying win over Bosnia.

Along with the Reds, Manchester United and, most recently, Real Madrid have also been linked – with one report suggesting that Los Blancos would be Inacio's preferred destination.

Now Portuguese outlet Diario de Noticias claims that, despite the supposed high interest in their star, Sporting CP are willing to be flexible in a January deal.

They report that Sporting are open to allowing the defender to move for just 75% of his release clause (which would equate to £39m) paid up front, with the rest included as performance-related add-ons.

It should be noted that this latest claim is in sharp contrast to reports from Portugal just last month which insisted that Sporting are in no rush to sell and that only a bid matching the full release clause would be entertained mid-campaign.

Beyond Inacio, Liverpool have been linked with a whole host of centre-back options, including Antonio Silva (Benfica), Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta) and Piero Hincapie (Bayer Leverkusen).

Anfield Watch reported over the summer how the Reds were interested in Levi Colwill before the defender signed a new deal at Chelsea, while AZ's versatile Yukinari Sugawara is another defender who has been looked at.