Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is set to pay the price for stalling over a move for Goncalo Inacio. The Sporting defender is reportedly on the verge of signing a new contract with the Portuguese giants that will hike up his release clause.
Inacio is hailed as one of the most promising young talents currently coming through in his homeland. Already a full Portuguese international, the 21-year-old has banked over 100 first-team appearances for Sporting.
With left-footed centre-backs always a precious commodity in the transfer market, Liverpool were rumoured to be weighing up a move for the youngster. But a reluctance to stump up his £38.5million release clause could be about to backfire.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Sporting and Inacio have reached an agreement over a new contract.
The long-term deal effectively puts an end to hopes of Liverpool prising the youngster away during the current window. And part of the agreement has seen Inacio’s release clause jump up to an eye-watering £51m.
The Reds aren’t the only Premier League heavyweights keeping tabs on the Portugal star. Newcastle and Manchester United are also in the mix, with Old Trafford rumoured to be Inacio’s dream destination.
A £15m deal has reportedly been agreed with Stuttgart, with Endo’s fast-moving transfer poised to be confirmed imminently after flying to Merseyside for his medical.
Rumours suggest that Klopp will go for at least one more midfielder to boost his side’s chance of fighting back into the top-four. Cheick Doucoure and Sofyan Amrabat have emerged as two front-runners, while the likes of Ryan Gravenberch, Joao Palhinha and Khephren Thuram are also believed to be of interest.
