After Xabi Alonso decided to stay at Bayer Leverkusen, Liverpool appear to be closing in on Ruben Amorim.
The Reds have dipped into the Portuguese market quite often in recent times, spending heavily to lure the likes of Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz away from Benfica and Porto respectively.
Now, Liverpool are swimming around the same area in the hunt to replace Jurgen Klopp, with the Sporting CP tactician emerging as the frontrunner to take over at Anfield – some believe the man from Lisbon has already been offered a contract running until 2027.
The story has now moved on, as sources in Portugal claim that Ruben Amorim has already identified two players he wants at Liverpool…
Ruben Amorim wants Goncalo Inacio and Ousmane Diomande at Liverpool
Well – according to Jornal de Noticias – Amorim would like Goncalo Inacio and Ousmane Diomande to leave Sporting CP for Liverpool this summer.
The Portuguese news outlet believe Liverpool’s defence is considered to be a weak spot, so plans are already being made to bolster the backline, which is likely to see Joel Matip depart when his contract expires this summer.
The Portugal international and the Ivory Coast international have combined to create a formidable partnership in the centre of defence for Sporting CP under the 39-year-old’s guidance.
Inacio and Diomande have made 42 appearances alongside each other for the Portuguese giants, impressively helping Sporting CP average 2.14 points per game in that space of time.
One seems easier to sign than the other
By the sounds of it, Inacio might be easier to sign than Diomande.
A story from Sports Zone states that Liverpool have already been offered the chance to sign the Almada-born defender this summer by his agent.
In regards to Diomande, Arsenal have seen a £30m bid knocked back – according to Alfredo Pedulla – and Sporting CP are protected by a £70m release clause written into the Ivorian’s contract.
Therefore, Inacio certainly seems a lot easier for Liverpool to sign this summer in comparison to the 20-year-old.
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