Liverpool enter transfer battle with Man United for £52m defender

The performances of Liverpool's defence have been questionable this season.

Although there have been some games when the quality of Arne Slot's back line has emerged, his defenders have often been some of his worst players.

Ibrahima Konate and Milos Kerkez have had particularly bad spells over the last few months and, even though both of them are now finally starting to prove their worth, the damage has already been done.

The Reds can't afford to start their 2026-27 campaign the same way that their 2025-26 season is set to end as they could end up in an even worse position than they currently find themselves in.

So, every transfer they make must improve their ranks and, after the latest rumours to emerge from L4, it seems like things are almost certainly heading that way.

Liverpool are going to fight Manchester United for the transfer of Goncalo Inacio

It's clear that Slot's tactics have not worked this season.

Whether the Dutchman has chosen to start three centre-backs or deploy his team in a 4-3-3 formation, nothing has clicked.

That's why several players are already being linked with an Anfield switch ahead of the summer window.

And, since almost every Premier League team needs to recruit players in the same positions, it's not a surprise to see Manchester United and Liverpool going after the same centre-back.

As per an update from Spanish journalist Eduardo Burgos, the Reds are set to re-ignite their interest in Sporting defender Goncalo Inacio.

"Gonçalo Inácio awakens interest from the big clubs," he wrote via his personal X account.

"His great season at Sporting, especially in the Champions League, has drawn attention in England (Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United) and Spain.

"His release clause amounts to 60M€, but it's negotiable."

Goncalo Inacio is exactly what Liverpool need

Even though Jeremy Jacquet is already joining Liverpool this summer, they could still do with another centre-back.

Konate's future is still undecided and, since Joe Gomez seems to be linked with AC Milan during every transfer window, the same thing is likely to happen again.

If either or both of these players end up exiting Anfield, Slot will be massively short in the defensive department which is the last thing he'll want.

Going into the 2025-26 campaign with just four senior centre-backs was clearly a massive mistake, especially with how injury prone some of Liverpool's defence are.

Inacio is only 24 years old so there's still plenty of time for him to develop into an even better player than he already is.

He's also had plenty of Champions League experience and is one of Rui Borges' choice of captains, and, the fact that he'd only cost the club £52 million is another massive selling point.

Players will obviously have to be sold if Slot and Richard Hughes want to make a fair few signings but, if it means that players of Inacio's quality will come in, it certainly feels worth it.

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