Securing a left-handed center back has been one of the challenges for Liverpool. During this summer’s transfer market, the club reported interest in various defenders, notably Chelsea defender Levi Colwill, but ultimately concentrated on strengthening its midfielders.
Yet, the generational change in the center-backs must be addressed soon. While defenders from Europe and South America such as Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie have emerged, 22-year-old defender Gonzalo Inacio, who plays for Sporting, is also considered a target.
According to Fabrizio Romano, an Italian journalist, Liverpool has sent a scouting team to check the player’s performance, but no further concrete moves have been made at this point.
“Goncalo Inacio continues to impress as one of the top young defenders in Europe, showing huge potential with Sporting Lisbon and recently working his way onto Manchester United’s potential list of targets, as I reported here.”
“But there is also Liverpool – the Reds have always been in the stands to scout and follow Inacio, but at the same time they never sent official bids or started negotiations.”
“There’s nothing new so far, as he signed a new deal at Sporting in August as there was nothing concrete happening with UK clubs. Still, I think he’d be an amazing option for any club, Liverpool or United in particular; left footed players at that level are very rare to find.”
The Portuguese center back has recently agreed to renew his contract with Sporting, and his transfer fee has been lifted.
However, even if he signs a contract, there is a pattern of immediate transfers, and he will be one of the players to watch in the transfer market this winter and next summer.