Liverpool sent scouts to put an eye on Goncalo Inaco
Liverpool sent scouts to watch Sporting defender Goncalo Inaco during Portugal’s 5-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, 90min reports.
The 22-year-old, who played four times for Portugal in their Euro 2024 qualifier against Bosnia and Herzegovina, is one of the players targeted by the Reds as Jurgen Klopp looks to strengthen his defense either in January or next summer.
The defender did not disappoint as he provided an assist to help his nation keep a clean sheet. Inacio has also played at the highest level for his club, where he has been one of the standout performers since breaking into the first team in the 2020/21 season.
He has already made 129 appearances for his boyhood club and has become a key figure in Ruben Amorim’s side. Liverpool have been watching him for some time now and the scouts present will surely notice his brilliant performance.
The defense needs an upgrade
Liverpool should strengthen their defense in the summer, but Klopp has not signed a new defender. The departures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho meant the Reds had to focus on adding depth and quality in midfield.
However, Klopp cannot ignore the problem forever. They are looking for potential long-term successors to Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk, who are both 32 and looking in their prime. Matip is out of contract at the end of the season and is unlikely to be offered a new deal. Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate have struggled with fitness in recent years.
Inacio is one of a number of central defenders that Liverpool have been monitoring in recent months. Transfermarkt value him at around £26m, but Sporting are likely to demand a hefty transfer fee for him as his contract expires in 2027.