Inacio Seen as Van Dijk Successor in Reds’ plans as Quansah nears exit | OneFootball

Inacio on radar as Slot plans next phase of summer rebuild

Liverpool’s summer transfer drive is gathering pace, with strong indications emerging from Portugal that Sporting CP centre-back Goncalo Inacio is firmly on the club’s radar. Following the anticipated British-record signing of Florian Wirtz, the Reds are now pushing to secure three further reinforcements, including a left-sided central defender – a profile Inacio fits seamlessly.

Arne Slot, who is wasting no time in reshaping his squad following a title-winning campaign under Jürgen Klopp, is keen to bring in defensive stability and long-term replacements for key figures. Inacio, 23, has been extensively scouted by Liverpool according to O-Jogo in Portugal, with the club’s recruitment team reportedly convinced of his suitability.

“Officials from the Reds have been keeping a close eye on the player for several months now, with the view to bringing him to Anfield this summer.”

Inacio seen as successor to Quansah, not just Van Dijk

While speculation has linked Inacio as a future heir to Virgil van Dijk, it’s understood internally that he’s being viewed as a more immediate replacement for Jarell Quansah. The 22-year-old defender made significant strides under Klopp last season, clocking up 33 appearances, but has fallen out of favour since Slot’s arrival. Used sparingly – just four Premier League starts and two in the Champions League – Quansah is now likely to move on.

“Slot is ready to greenlight his sale and, if reports in Portugal are accurate, Inacio will be the man to come in as his upgrade.”

A deal in the region of £35–40 million is being mooted for Quansah, potentially paving the way for a third transfer between Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen this summer.

Inacio, meanwhile, comes with pedigree. A Nations League winner with Portugal, he’s collected domestic honours with Sporting and earned 16 senior caps. His profile fits Liverpool’s blueprint: young, tactically intelligent, technically assured, and already decorated.

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Liverpool exploring deal below €60m release clause

Sporting have long been braced for interest in Inacio, whose contract includes a €60 million (£51m) release clause. However, Liverpool are believed to be exploring whether a lower fee can be negotiated, perhaps involving structured payments or performance-based incentives.

Slot’s transfer plans continue with focus on balance

With Jeremie Frimpong expected to join as a dynamic replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold and Milos Kerkez set to arrive from Bournemouth, Slot is focused on building balance and durability into his squad. Inacio’s addition would help bolster the left side of defence while laying foundations for succession planning beyond Van Dijk and amid doubts over Ibrahima Konaté’s future.

“Furthermore, with doubts still lingering over whether Ibou Konate will sign a new deal, the possible arrival of Inacio will at least ensure the Reds won’t be left short…”

Meanwhile, Liverpool are fielding interest in other areas of their squad. Andy Robertson is reportedly keen on a move to Atletico Madrid, while two attacking departures could net the club as much as £90 million – a significant boost to their spending power.

Slot’s swift and deliberate moves suggest a club determined to maintain momentum, but also conscious of long-term squad evolution. Inacio may not be the headline name of the window, but he could yet prove one of the most crucial.

Gonçalo Inácio: Data Profile Highlights Strengths in Possession and Attacking Output

Passing and Progression Metrics Among Europe’s Elite

Gonçalo Inácio’s percentile rankings over the past 365 days – based on 2,255 minutes of action – paint the picture of a ball-playing centre-back of the highest calibre. According to FBref data visualised in this chart, Inácio ranks in the 98th percentile for passes attempted and 87th for pass completion, placing him among the most proactive and reliable distributors in Europe. He’s also in the 99th percentile for progressive passes and 92nd for progressive carries, reinforcing his ability to drive play forward from the back – a key trait for modern centre-halves in possession-oriented systems like Arne Slot’s.

Furthermore, he ranks 97th percentile for shot-creating actions and 98th for touches, underlining his constant involvement and influence in build-up phases.

Attacking Output Rare for a Centre-Back

What sets Inácio apart from his defensive peers is his attacking contribution. He ranks 95th percentile for non-penalty expected goals (npxG) and 93rd for expected assisted goals (xAG), indicating not only his positioning during set-pieces or attacking phases but also a level of creativity not typically associated with centre-backs. Inácio also places in the 96th percentile for non-penalty xG + xAG, which combines both his goal threat and chance creation – rare metrics for a defender.

He’s in the 73rd percentile for assists and an impressive 95th for actual non-penalty goals, highlighting his ability to deliver end product when given the opportunity.

Defending Not Yet at Elite Levels

While his attacking and possession metrics are elite, Inácio’s defensive outputs are more modest. He sits in the 59th percentile for combined tackles and interceptions, 34th for blocks, and just 22nd for aerial duels won, suggesting there is still development required in traditional defensive aspects. His 2nd percentile rank for clearances may also reflect the stylistic preferences of Sporting CP – building from the back rather than opting for no-nonsense defending – but remains an area of concern if he transitions to the Premier League.

Nonetheless, his 23rd percentile for tackles on dribblers indicates room for growth when it comes to 1v1 defending situations.

Balanced Yet Bold Profile

Overall, Inácio’s data suggests a highly modern defender: technically gifted, progressive in possession, and surprisingly impactful in the final third. While there are defensive gaps to address, his profile is likely to appeal to top clubs – especially those demanding proactive build-up from the back.