Jurgen Klopp steps up Liverpool transfer plan as he bids to hijack Man Utd again
Liverpool have sent scouts to evaluate Sporting CP defender Goncalo Inacio – who is also a transfer target for Manchester United.
Jurgen Klopp has a quartet of central defenders consisting of Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate, Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk but the latter two are getting on in years and plans are in place to identify long-term replacements in the position.
Reports earlier this year claimed that the Reds are the English club who are pressing the hardest to sign Inacio, who is now in the Portugal international set-up and have made an enquiry for him. Paris Saint-Germain are another club who are credited with an interest in the player.
The Portuguese defender had previously been earmarked as a potential replacement for Harry Maguire at Old Trafford, but the former United captain remained in Erik ten Hag’s after his transfer to West Ham broke down despite the club’s agreeing a £30million deal.
Ten Hag remains determined to strengthen the position next summer after a dearth of player exits this summer including Phil Jones, Axel Tuanzebe, Eric Bailly and Teden Mengi, with fitness problems for Raphael Varane and prolonged injury absences for Lisandro Martinez.
However, Liverpool are also stepping up their long-term interest in Inacio. Last week, the Merseyside club sent scouts to monitor the defender playing for Portugal against Bosnia. Playing alongside Ruben Dias in the heart of Portugal’s defence, Inacio had a quiet night as his side ran out five-goal winners with all goals scored in the first half.
Inacio is represented by Miguel Pinho, the agent who also represents Bruno Fernandes and negotiated the deal that took the playmaker to Old Trafford in January 2020. However, it is understood that neither agent nor Sporting
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