Liverpool ‘seriously impressed’ with versatile Joel Matip replacement
By Kian Long
Liverpool have sent out scouts to watch Gancalo Inacio at Sporting in Portugal. Jurgen Klopp is impressed enough to buy the centre-back.
According to a report from Correio da Manha, Liverpool sent out scouts to watch Sporting Lisbon defender Goncalo Inacio. The scouts were ecstatic about his performance and this could lead Jurgen Klopp to take the plunge and try to sign him.
The Portuguese centre-back is under contract in the capital until summer of 2026. However, he has a release clause in his contract of £40m. It’s this clause which is exciting Jurgen Klopp, as he eyes a summer move for the defender.
Liverpool are undergoing a serious defensive crisis at the moment. With both Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate injured, it’s Joel Matip who has unsurprisingly stepped up to fill the big defensive void.
However, The Top Flight reported on Sunday that Liverpool were open to selling Joel Matip in the summer transfer window. The Anfield board of directors even pinned a £15m asking price on the centre-back, which a club will surely snatch up.
The Reds are on the verge of a financial takeover, so it remains to be seen whether their new buyers will be keen spenders in the transfer window. However, given the excitement expressed by Liverpool scouts and Jurgen Klopp, they’d be silly not to sign 21-year-old Inacio.
Inacio primarily plays as a centre-back. However, he has also played as a left-back this season, picking up two assists. He is a key part of the first-team which sees Sporting fourth in the Liga Portugal.
They are also through to the knockout rounds of the Europa League, where they will face FC Midtjylland on Thursday. Therefore, there are plenty more opportunities to witness the potential next Anfield defender in action.
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