Liverpool are looking to make a surprise move in the aftermath of losing two of their big midfield targets in recent days
(Image credit: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Liverpool are preparing a curious move in the wake of losing out on two huge midfield targets.
The Reds were beaten to the punch of Moises Caicedo by Chelsea, who took a swipe at their rivals with the line, "It's only ever been Chelsea" in the Ecuadorian's announcement video. Caicedo was heavily linked with Liverpool, but has since told the Blues' official site that he grew up idolising Claude Makelele among others.
To compound the disappointment, it now looks as if the next target on the list, Romeo Lavia has rejected Liverpool in favour of a move to Stamford Bridge, too. But the Merseysiders are set to pivot and make a different kind of move, according to one report.
Chelsea new boy Moises Caicedo poses alongside his mother at Chelsea training ground in Cobham (Image credit: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
According to Football Insider, Jurgen Klopp has not abandoned plans to bring in another defender, with Portuguese star Goncalo Inacio high on the radar.
The Sporting star has a release clause of £39m and can play as a left-sided centre-back. Liverpool have a lack of reliable options in central defence as well as in midfield, with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate the first-choice pairing.
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Inacio could be used as a left-back in the future too, though. The 21-year-old could be used in the three that build up from the back in Klopp's on-ball system, offering a little more defensive solidity than Andy Robertson, whose natural inclination is to bomb on.
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If the Reds had £110m to spend on Caicedo, activating Inacio's release clause could still leave them with around £70m to spend on one or two other midfielders. Ibrahim Sangare, available for £30m on a release clause, could be an option.
Goncalo Inacio of Sporting is on Liverpool's radar (Image credit: Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
Liverpool take on Bournemouth in their next match at 3pm this Saturday.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
