Liverpool told Goncalo Inacio price ahead of new scouting trip

Liverpool have been told what they must pay to sign Goncalo Inacio. The Sporting defender certainly has his admirers.

There's plenty of speculation around Sporting's Goncalo Inacio. The centre-back is one of the brightest prospects in Europe right now - and Liverpool have their eyes on him.

Correio da Manha claim that representatives from both Liverpool and Manchester United will watch Inacio as Sporting CP take on Benfica in the Lisbon derby this weekend. This is far from the only time the Reds have scouted the player, either, as they watched him play against Bosnia in the last international break.

Real Madrid are another eyeing up Inacio and it could be them who offer the greatest threat to Liverpool's plan. However, this is unlikely to come down to a bidding war.

That's because Sporting will be holding clubs to Inacio's release clause in January. They're quite blunt about that.

Manager Ruben Amorim was asked about the interest in his player this week. Per O Jogo, he merely directed people's attention to the player's clause.

"In relation to wanting to sign players, it is as always, they have to pay the termination clause to leave," said Amorim.

That clause reportedly stands at around £52m. Inacio actually signed a new contract this summer with that clause, opening the door for teams to sign him while also allowing Sporting to secure the player.

And so it seems Liverpool need to answer one question - is Inacio worth £52m? He probably just about is. 22-year-old centre-backs who can play at the top level are few and far between. The Reds could use one, though, as both Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip insist on ageing.

Anfield Watch does understand that a defender is a priority right now - and Liverpool won't find many (maybe any) better options than Inacio for the long-term. We'll just have to wait and see what they do.