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Liverpool's 33-year-old skipper is in the final year of his current contract at Anfield
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While Liverpool are the only Premier League side yet to make a new signing this summer, the club have been linked to plenty of players. A move for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi came up short when the Spaniard opted to remain in the Basque country, while other transfer links have centred around long-term successors for some of the club’s key first-team players. Liverpool have been working on a deal to bring Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili to Anfield as the club plan for eventual life after Alisson Becker, while France left-back Adrien Truffert has been linked as a potential replacement for Andy Robertson. VIDEO How Arne Slot Has ALREADY Transformed Liverpool The next player that the Reds are reportedly looking to find a successor for is Virgil van Dijk, with the 33-year-old now in the final year of his current contract at Anfield. According to Caught Offside, Liverpool have reignited interest in Sporting defender Goncalo Inacio, who was first linked with the club when Inacio’s club boss Ruben Amorim was a contender to replace Jurgen Klopp this summer. The club would go on to appoint Dutchman Arne Slot, but he is said to have told new sporting director Richard Hughes to pursue a deal for the 22-year-old left-sided centre-back. The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week. The club are now said to be preparing a ‘concrete’ approach to try and win the race for the Portugal international, who is also the subject of interest from Aston Villa. The report adds that this fresh interest in Inacio comes as Villa and Newcastle United are stepping up their pursuits of Reds defender Joe Gomez, with Liverpool open to letting him leave. Sporting are said to be demanding €45million for their academy graduate, which is in line with his Transfermarkt valuation. In Four Four Two’s opinion, Liverpool are doing the right thing in looking to find Van Dijk’s successor, with his age and contract situation meaning that the clock is very much ticking on that front. At the age of 22, Inacio’s best years are ahead of him, but he already has more than 175 senior appearances to his name for club and country meaning that the ball-playing defender is more than capable of playing a part for Liverpool straight away. Sporting’s financial model sees them regularly selling players, so he should be attainable. Liverpool want to hijack Arsenal transfer for Spaniard: report Liverpool working on four transfers in a hectic end to summer window: report When Liverpool 'couldn't compete' with £5m transfer fees - Rafa Benitez reveals three players he was unable to bring to Anfield, including the all-time record signing that evaded the Reds Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1 *Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription Join now for unlimited access Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1 For more than a decade Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor, with stints at Mirror Football and Leeds Live among others. He is the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Arsenal agree midfield exit, ahead of Mikel Merino signing: report Manchester City report: Private jet booked for shock next signing Champion League football in the Arctic Circle? Sub-zero temperatures and less than two hours of daylight may await Manchester City, Liverpool, Aston Villa or Arsenal (again) Four Four Two is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. ©
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