Liverpool sent a scout to watch Sporting Lisbon's clash with Porto as they eye young centre-half Goncalo Inacio.
The Sporting defender has enjoyed a rapid rise and is attracting plenty of interest. The Reds sent someone to watch him in the flesh and, after seeing him up close, a move for the 21-year-old is now being considered, according to Correio da Manhã.
Inacio has a €45m release clause, but Sporting may be open to other offers. Despite their recent domestic success the Portuguese outfit look set to miss out on the Champions League as they currently sit fourth. That will have financial implications that could see them cash in on their major assets.
Sporting boss Ruben Amorim has previously hailed Inacio's quality: "[Goncalo] Inacio can play on one side and then come back in, [making it unpredictable for our opposition] so we have been making some good use of his characteristics. Inacio is very fast as well, offers long passing, can play inside and can even get to the top of the pitch before other players, giving [Pedro] Porro more freedom."
Liverpool's defensive resources have been tested due to the absence of Virgil van Dijk. The Dutchman picked up an injury several weeks ago and there is a notable decline when he is not present in the back four. Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip are Jurgen Klopp's other options.
The latter could yet leave Anfield this summer, which would increase their need to add a new face. Liverpool are expected to invest in their squad this summer amid talk of a rebuild under Klopp with the current playing group greatly underperforming as they chase the top four.
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Jamie Carragher has criticised his former club for allowing their squad to age. Their recruitment, which has been key to their previous success, has been unable to continue adding sufficient quality as they search for more players in the prime of their career.
He said on the Overlap: “Liverpool have got either really old players or really young players. They haven’t got anyone in that sweet spot of 25-29 and you have to put that on Klopp, Pep Lijnders and the recruitment team who’ve had more praise than any recruitment team I’ve ever seen in my life. You have to look at that squad and where it’s been left right now.”
Among the players potential on the club's shortlist is former Sporting man Matheus Nunes, who moved to Wolves in the summer despite rumours suggesting he was bound for Anfield. Liverpool could look to reignite their interest in the summer with Nunes now having a year of Premier League experience.
