Report: Liverpool speed up efforts to beat Man United to €80m transfer | OneFootball

Reports in Spain are now backing up our recent story on Liverpool targeting a January transfer window move for Sporting Lisbon centre-back Goncalo Inacio.

We were informed that the Reds were set to intensify their interest in the Portugal international after their poor defensive performances this season, and it seems this story is gathering pace.

A report from Spanish outlet Fichajes is now also claiming that Liverpool want to speed up their efforts to sign Inacio, who is viewed as an urgent necessity at Anfield.

Inacio has shone at Sporting and won’t come cheap, with Fichajes claiming the Merseyside giants may face paying as much as €80m to bring the 24-year-old in this January.

Goncalo Inacio targeted by Liverpool following Manchester United interest

Inacio has also previously been linked with Manchester United, as he’ll be well known to Ruben Amorim, who managed him at Sporting.

Goncalo Inacio in action for Sporting Lisbon (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

Portuguese outlet A Bola linked Inacio with Man Utd in the summer, though the move never came to anything on that occasion.

It will be interesting to see if United once again decide to target Inacio in order to beat rivals Liverpool to his signature.

However, Amorim already has pretty decent depth at the back, so arguably needs Inacio less than Liverpool right now.

Liverpool eyeing a number of centre-backs after poor start in defence

LFC have a worrying defensive record this season, with Arne Slot’s men currently all the way down in 12th in the Premier League table, having conceded 20 goals in 12 matches.

They also have a serious issue to sort out as Ibrahima Konate is in the final few months of his contract.

Indy Kaila recently reported for CaughtOffside that Liverpool were also ready to move for Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi to replace Konate this January.

Whether it’s Guehi, Inacio, or another central defender, it’s clear that something needs to change in this Liverpool squad in the second half of the season.