Fabrizio Romano shares what he’s now hearing about Liverpool and Goncalo Inacio
Liverpool are not yet out of the race to sign Sporting centre-back Goncalo Inacio.
The Reds have been seen as potential suitors for Inacio ever since the summer. However, reports from Spain yesterday suggested that Real Madrid are the new favourites to land the 22-year-old.
Addressing those rumours on his YouTube channel last night, journalist Fabrizio Romano insisted that the race is still open for Inacio.
“What I can tell you is that at the moment, from what I’m told Real Madrid have not agreed anything with Sporting for Goncalo Inacio,” says the transfer expert.
“There is no agreement, there is not even a concrete negotiation at this stage. Probably this rumour is coming from the mission of Real Madrid scouts who are always around to keep an eye on clubs, talents, players.
“Nothing is done and nothing is guaranteed for the January window, at the moment the situation is still quiet it’s just about normal scouting for a very talented player.
“Remember what I told you one month ago about Goncalo Inacio, he’s on the list of many clubs in England for a long time including Newcastle, including Liverpool, but also Manchester United are exploring the conditions of this player.
“At the moment it’s just about scouting, there’s still nothing concrete. What’s real is the release clause – €60m [£52m]. We will keep you posted if we hear more news about that.”
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
Liverpool given Inacio hope
This is good news for Liverpool. With the reports from Spain yesterday, some may have instantly given up hope of battling Madrid for another player.
But thankfully it seems as thought Real’s interest is not quite as hot as was being reported. There’s still hope for all of the English sides Romano mentions, including the Reds.
One thing that is probably true though is that if Madrid decide to mobilise and go after Inacio in January, Liverpool will have no comeback.
Although they may still need to add a reinforcement in the summer, the emergence of Jarell Quansah has lessened the need for immediate cover at centre-back. It would be counterproductive to bring in another new face while the 20-year-old is progressing so rapidly.
Goncalo Inacio
As Inacio is only 22, he could conceivably block the pathway that has been thrown open for Quansah. If Liverpool truly rate their academy graduate as a future long-term option, then that would be needless.
It would make much more sense to wait and see how Jarell develops for the rest of the season before making a decision in the summer.
If Inacio is still available then, then it seems likely that he’s one the Reds will try and get.
There’s a very real chance the Portugal international is off the market by then. But from Romano’s update it doesn’t seem as though anything is imminent. Race still very much on.
