Liverpool have made an enquiry to sign Sporting CP central defender Goncalo Inacio, who Manchester United had earmarked as a potential replacement for Harry Maguire.
United’s interest comes as club captain Maguire, 30, enduring a difficult campaign after losing his spot in the team under Erik ten Hag and is expected to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season in a bid to play regular football elsewhere.
Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane are the established central defensive partnership for United with Victor Lindelof also an option in the position, with left-back Luke Shaw also being deployed in the heart of the backline in recent weeks – with Maguire slipping to fifth choice.
Liverpool ’s quartet of central defenders consists of Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez but could look to shake things up this summer following a disappointing campaign which has seen the club end the season trophyless.
A report in Le Parisien claims that the Reds are the English club who are pressing the hardest to sign Inacio, who is now in the Portugal international setup, and have made an enquiry for him. Paris Saint-Germain are another club who are credited with an interest in the player.
Earlier this week, it was reported by O Jogo, as cited by Sport Witness, that Miguel Pinho, the agent of Bruno Fernandes, could prove key in United's bid to add another defender to their ranks with Maguire likely to leave in the summer window as Inacio is his client.
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It was previously suggested that Maguire wanted to stay with the club and was determined to win his place back under Ten Hag. However, it is understood United are listening to offers for the club captain as they seek to be ruthless with continued squad alterations.
Inacio, 21, has clocked up 115 first-team appearances for the Lisbon giants and is highly regarded at the club. Sporting have a proud tradition of producing young talents before selling off at significant prices: including Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Nani to United in previous years.
United will prioritise signing a central striker and a goalkeeper this summer but further reinforcements in defence are also anticipated. Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong is a prime target for Ten Hag.
