Liverpool eye Sporting's Goncalo Inacio as potential Van Dijk successor

Liverpool are among a group of Premier League clubs monitoring Sporting CP defender Goncalo Inacio ahead of a potential summer move, according to reports from Spain. The 24-year-old Portuguese international is being considered as a long-term successor to captain Virgil van Dijk, with his contract at Anfield set to expire at the end of next season.

According to AS journalist Eduardo Burgos, Liverpool's interest has been awakened by Inacio's performances this season, particularly in the Champions League, where he will face Arsenal with Sporting on Wednesday night. Burgos reports that while the centre-back has a release clause set at €60 million (£52.1m) in his contract, Sporting could be willing to negotiate a lower fee for a transfer. Manchester United and Chelsea are also credited with interest in the player.

Inacio has established himself as a key figure for Sporting, having won the Liga Portugal title three times with the club. This season, in the 2025/26 campaign, he has made 39 appearances across all competitions, contributing two goals and three assists from defence. Described as a left-footed centre-back with a cultured passing range, his profile fits the modern demand for ball-playing defenders.

For Liverpool, the potential pursuit aligns with a period of defensive transition. Van Dijk, while still a pivotal player, turned 34 this year and his long-term future at the club is uncertain beyond his current deal. Manager Arne Slot currently has young options like Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni at his disposal, alongside Ibrahima Konate, but the potential addition of Inacio would bring a proven, title-winning defender entering his prime years.

The move would represent a significant step for Inacio, who has spent his entire professional career at Sporting, coming through their academy system. A transfer to the Premier League would place him at the heart of a major rebuild for Liverpool as they plan for life after their iconic Dutch captain. The reported negotiable nature of his fee, below the stated release clause, could make a deal more feasible for the Merseyside club amidst Financial Fair Play considerations.

Any deal is likely to depend on Sporting's own season outcome, with the club still in a tight title race in Portugal and competing in the latter stages of the Champions League. His performances in these high-pressure fixtures, including against Arsenal, will be closely scrutinized by his suitors. For now, the interest from Anfield remains at the scouting and information-gathering stage, with no formal offer reported.