Liverpool will reportedly have to step up their efforts in January to land a top Jurgen Klopp defensive target after Real Madrid increased their own interest.
Klopp has been tracking Sporting defender Goncalo Inacio for some time, with both the English and Portuguese press confirming the German’s admiration for the impressive 22-year-old.
Manchester United are also said to be interested, but Liverpool are said to be ahead of Erik ten Hag’s men in the race to sign the Portugal international.
However, according to a new report from Spanish outlet AS, Real are concerned that Liverpool will beat them to the punch and have increased their pursuit as a result.
The LaLiga giants are desperate to strengthen their backline in January, and Inacio, who has a €60 million release clause, is seen as the ideal player to join experienced duo Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba.
And, with Real stepping up their pursuit, the Reds must make their own decision on how much they want Inacio on board.
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AS has given Inacio a rave review of his potential, stating that he is a player who could ‘be dominant in the next decade’.
The main stumbling block for both Real and Liverpool is that Sporting are unwilling to part ways with one of their top stars in the middle of the season.
So, if a deal is struck, it will require suitors to match the €60 million release clause in the new year.
If Liverpool sign Inacio, he will likely replace Joel Matip, Ibrahima Konate, and Joe Gomez as the first-choice partner for Virgil van Dijk at the heart of Klopp’s defense.
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