Liverpool make contact over summer move for Portugal star

Exclusive — Liverpool have sounded out the representatives of Sporting CP defender Goncalo Inacio over a possible summer move.

Sources have told Anfield Watch that the Reds are in the market for defensive additions and the left-footed Portuguese centre-back is one of the targets that the club are looking at.

Liverpool’s recruitment team have liked Inacio for some time, though it remains to be seen how the exit of Jurgen Klopp and his backroom staff will affect immediate transfer strategy.

Last summer, despite speculation over his future, the defender signed fresh terms with Sporting CP, extending his contract to 2027, with a new buyout clause set at €60m (£51.5m). It’s understood that any club that wishes to purchase Inacio will have to meet the entirety of this amount.

Liverpool may not the only club interested in the Portugal international. Anfield Watch understands that Dan Ashworth, who is set to leave Newcastle for a sporting director role at Manchester United, also held talks with Inacio's agent in the last transfer window.

There is a lot of interest, too, in Inacio’s centre-back partner, Ousmane Diomande, who has a release clause of €80m (£68.5m) and is another possible target for Liverpool.

22-year-old Inacio started his career with his local club Almada, before heading to Sporting CP's academy in 2012.

Since his breakthrough into the first team, the young defender has rapidly ascended to become one of the brightest stars in Portuguese football.

Last season he featured in a staggering 52 matches across various competitions, as the side earned 19 clean sheets. He also made his senior Portugal debut last year and has scored twice in five caps to date.

As well as Liverpool, Newcastle and potentially even Manchester United, Inacio has previously been named as a target for Arsenal and is highly prized for his versatility across the backline and ball-playing ability.

While Liverpool's interest is genuine, Inacio is just one of a number of options the Reds are looking at.

Anfield Watch has previously reported Liverpool's interest in other defensive targets Piero Hincapie (currently at Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen) and Ko Itakura (Borussia Monchengladbach), while Levi Colwill is also a player the club admire.