Liverpool to step up chase for £52m Van Dijk replacement

Liverpool are facing uncertainty in the centre-back department.

Although the club have secured the signing of Jeremy Jacquet - and will welcome back Giovanni Leoni from injury - for next season there is still a need to add quality and numbers in the sector.

Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are out of contract in 2027 and it would be no surprise to see the England international sold this summer.

Factor in a contract complication for Ibrahima Konate - who still hasn’t renewed his deal - and you come to realise why Richard Hughes could be prioritising a centre-back arrival.

Liverpool looking at Gonçalo Inácio

One name on the radar is Portugal international Gonçalo Inácio, 24.

The Sporting CP defender is reported to have a very reasonable €60m release clause in his contract - which is due to run until 2030.

Liverpool are strong admirers of the left-footer - according to a new report in Football Insider - and have been tipped to take him to Anfield this summer.

With Van Dijk approaching the end of his Merseyside stay a left-footed centre-back option is a necessity - especially before 2027.

The Premier League champions could therefore anticipate a move for Inacio this summer - allowing him to settle in for a year before taking over from the Dutchman.

“Liverpool are also admirers of Inacio, who is a left-sided centre-back,” the report reads.

“There aren’t many top ones available, but he is one of them, for sure. “They’re going to have to replace Virgil van Dijk sooner rather than later, you would imagine, and Inacio could be an ideal replacement for him, as he can play on the left side of that central defence.

“He’s got good pedigree at international level and has played Champions League football as well.”

Gonçalo Inácio: Situation summary

Gonçalo Inácio is a left‑footed Portuguese centre-back for Sporting CP, regarded as one of Europe’s leading ball‑playing defenders in his age bracket.

An academy product who debuted for Sporting’s first team in 2020, he has already passed 200 senior appearances and is a regular for Portugal.

Inácio plays mainly as a left centre-back but can cover left-back or pivot, combining anticipation, composure and acceleration with clean timing in tackles.

On the ball he is elite at breaking lines, comfortable receiving under pressure and hitting long diagonals; his passing volume, accuracy (~90%) and long-ball output underline a clear build‑up leader profile.

He renewed with Sporting in 2025, extending to June 2029 and lifting his release clause to around €60m. Reports suggest Sporting may negotiate below the clause, with valuations between €45m and €80m depending on suitor and timing.

Liverpool, Barcelona, Manchester United and Chelsea are all linked, viewing him as a long‑term left‑sided starter, and a 2026 move looks increasingly plausible.

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