Liverpool need a quality central defender and they are thought to be keen on the Portugal defender Goncalo Inacio.
The 22-year-old Portuguese international has been a key player for Sporting CP over the past year and his performances have attracted the attention of several European heavyweights.
A report from the Portuguese publication Record via SportWitness claims that Liverpool recently sent scouts to watch the 22-year-old in action against Sturm Graz and the defender must have left a lasting impression with an impeccable performance. Inacio scored a brace in the game and produced an impressive defensive display.
The 22-year-old is undoubtedly a prodigious talent with a bright future ahead of him and Liverpool would do well to secure his signature.
They need to plan for life without Joel Matip, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a serious injury. He will be a free agent in the summer and Liverpool will need to replace him adequately.
Inacio has all the tools to develop into a top-class defender for Liverpool.
Meanwhile, the 22-year-old is versatile enough to operate as the left back and he would add cover to the left back department as well. Although Liverpool have Kostas Tsimikas as a backup to Andrew Robertson, the Greek international can be quite vulnerable defensively and Inacio would add greater defensive stability to the side if he is deployed in the left-back role at times.
The report adds that Manchester United and Newcastle United are keen on the player as well. It will be interesting to see if Liverpool follow up on their scouting mission with an official proposal to sign the player.
He has a €60 million release clause in his contract and it is fair to assume that the Reds might have to pay the clause in full to get the deal done.