Liverpool are beginning to formulate plans for their first transfer window under Arne Slot.
The Reds look all set to name the Feyenoord boss as the manager chosen to follow Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.
Things have moved quickly with Slot, who was barely in the running just ten days ago. Back then and before, it had appeared most likely that Ruben Amorim would be Liverpool’s next manager.
But after Amorim seemingly attempted to put pressure on the Reds by organising an interview with West Ham, his hopes of taking over were dead in the water. Liverpool accelerated on Slot and look ready to announce his appointment.
In the meantime, the Reds can now look again to plans for the transfer market. And with reports that Liverpool and Slot are targeting a new centre-back as a priority, journalist Graeme Bailey has exclusively told Rousing The Kop who may be on the shortlist.
Liverpool still looking at Goncalo Inacio
There have been a few names put forward so far as Liverpool try and bolster their defence. Perhaps the strongest links have come for Willian Pacho.
But while claiming that Pacho is indeed one of the targets, Bailey named two other players who could end up at Anfield.
Interestingly, one is a current favourite of the man Liverpool overlooked for the manager’s job this summer – Ruben Amorim. Yes, according to the journalist, Sporting’s Goncalo Inacio is still one to keep an eye one.
“I wouldn’t rule out Inacio at this point at all,” Bailey insists. “The way Liverpool’s recruitment works, they’ll have a number of players they’re looking at.
“Yes, Pacho is one of them. Some of the Leverkusen guys, I see Tah as the most likely [to leave] but I don’t see him as a Liverpool signing. I think if Hincapie became available, that’s someone who they’ve liked before.
“I wouldn’t say Pacho is the priority at this point but he’s clearly someone they’ve looked at and the discussions are ongoing. The chances are it will be a left sider but that’s not breaking any news for Liverpool fans.”
Should Liverpool sign Goncalo Inacio
Inacio’s name has been circulating in regards to Liverpool for more than a year now. On the brink of another title with Sporting, surely this is the summer that the 22-year-old leaves Lisbon.
If he does, there’s no reason the Reds shouldn’t be involved. Young, left-footed and with huge potential, Inacio ticks all the boxes for Liverpool.
The one area the Portugal international may come up short on is in terms of price-tag. Inacio has a release clause of around £51m and it seems any buyer would have to meet that.
As we’ve seen so many times before from Michael Edwards, he won’t overpay for a player. If he feels there is better value to be had elsewhere, then he’s happy to drop a target.
With that in mind, maybe someone like Armel Bella-Kotchap would make more sense than Inacio. Looks like we’re going to have to keep an open mind for now.
