Liverpool have reported interest in a left-footed centre-back since last summer. They failed to land England defender Levi Colwill, who signed a long-term deal with Chelsea. The club is aiming to secure a young defender in earnest in this summer’s transfer market.
While various players, particularly European centre-backs, have been linked with a move to Anfield, one player who has been mentioned as a candidate throughout the season is Sporting’s Portugal defender Gonzalo Inácio.
Although there have been fewer media reports of interest in the player recently, Liverpool, who have withdrawn from the battle for France U-23 defender Leny Yoro, have made the 22-year-old left-back their top target and are preparing to make an offer of over €30 million in the near future, according to Correio da Manhã.
He has scored 15 goals and provided nine assists in a total of 171 games for Sporting, and has also developed well for the national team, scoring two goals in 11 games.
He has also gained experience on the European stage, and has now moved beyond the ranks of promising youngsters and established himself as a reliable defender.
Manchester United were also said to be interested, but in addition to the French defender, they have also made a move for Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt, so no further reinforcements are needed.
For a long time they have been reported as the front-runners, but no concrete moves have been made. The truth of this report is also doubtful, but will Liverpool really aim to acquire the Portuguese international centre-back…?