Former Schalke defender Joel Matip, who has long been part of the centre-back corps in Jurgen Klopp’s regime, left the team at the end of last season.Furthermore, Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk is approaching the end of his career at the age of 33, and the club is in need of a new centre-back.
Interest in a number of centre-backs has been reported since the start of the season, and Sporting’s Portuguese defender Goncalo Inácio has been mentioned as one of the targets, but transfer talks are moving forward, according to international media outlet CaughtOffside.
The Portuguese club are unlikely to ask for more than the 22-year-old left-back defender, who is said to have a €60 million release clause in his contract, and are expected to be allowed to negotiate a deal with the individual as long as they pay a set fee.
Other strong clubs are also interested in the young centre-back, with Manchester United close to signing Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt and Arsenal believed to be close to signing Italian defender Riccardo Calafioli, who has also reported interest from Liverpool.
With no competition, it will be that much harder to raise the transfer fee. Liverpool have an opportunity coming their way, but they are also keen on another defender, so it remains to be seen which centre-back they will eventually land.
So who will Liverpool be looking to whitewash as a long-term centre-back for the new Arne Slott regime…?