Liverpool are reportedly 'making progress' in negotiations to sign Sporting Lisbon centre-back Goncalo Inacio as a long-term replacement for Virgil van Dijk.
Reports in recent weeks have suggested that Van Dijk's future at Anfield is uncertain and that the Reds have made signing a new central defender one of their highest priorities this summer.
The Dutchman played a pivotal role in ending the Reds' 30-year wait for a top-flight title and also helped the side win the Champions League while guiding them to two additional finals.
Despite being 33 years old now, Van Dijk continues to be regarded as one of the world's premier defenders and the prospect of his availability has unsurprisingly piqued the interest of several clubs across Europe and beyond.
The Dutch international's current contract is set to expire in the summer of 2025, meaning that he has now entered the final year of his current deal, as have Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah.
© Reuters
Reds make Inacio signing top priority this summer
According to CaughtOffside, while Liverpool have no intention of letting any of their star trio leave anytime soon, they have made Inacio their top priority this summer, despite the defender being linked with the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal.
The report adds that while the centre-back currently has a £51.6m release clause attached to his name, the Reds are quietly confident that they will be able to negotiate a lower fee with Sporting for the player.
Liverpool bid farewell to Joel Matip at the end of last season, while Nat Phillips is expected to be on his way to Turkey in the coming days.
Additionally, Sepp van den Berg returned from an impressive loan spell with Mainz, but it is understood that the 22-year-old wishes to return to his home country with PSV Eindhoven.
Van den Berg is said to be hopeful that the Reds will lower their £20m asking price for him to help get a deal done before the 2024-25 campaign commences.
Should Van den Berg and Phillips depart this offseason, it will likely necessitate Liverpool's activity in the transfer market, particularly given that Joe Gomez's future at the club is still unclear.
© Reuters
Liverpool to face competition to sign Inacio
As mentioned, Liverpool are expected to face stiff competition to sign Inacio in this transfer window from the likes of Premier League rivals Manchester United and Arsenal.
Consequently, the Reds are believed to have prepared a contingency plan in case a deal for Inacio falls through, with the club prepared to consider alternative options.
Among the players that Arne Slot's side are keeping tabs on are Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice, Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, and Willian Pacho, who currently plays for Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga.
The Reds are also said to be looking for midfield reinforcements with the likes of Quinten Timber, who worked with Slot at Feyenoord, and Atalanta's Teun Koopmeiners among the favoured options.
Youssouf Fofana had also been on Liverpool's radar, but discussion never advanced between the parties, and the 25-year-old now looks set to join AC Milan imminently.
Devesh Jaganath
