Liverpool risk loosing ‘elite’ 22-year-old, who has been identified as Klopp’s ‘number one target’, to title rivals.

Liverpool could be in danger of being overtaken by one of their Premier League title rivals in the transfer race for a reported target.According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, Arsenal will pay €60m for Sporting Lisbon defender Goncalo Inacio, who has been linked with Liverpool for some time (The Mirror). The report claims the Gunners are keeping hold of the 22-year-old, and if Mikel Arteta’s side make a bid for the aforementioned fee despite his contract, the club are likely to block him from leaving in January. The contract will only be extended until 2027 this August.Jurgen Klopp was very defensive when asked if Liverpool would consider a centre-back in the January transfer window following Joel Matip’s recent ACL injury.

The manager is clearly reluctant to spoil his current options with a public announcement, but it should be in Jörg Schmadke’s ears backstage at Anfield after the heavy blow to Cameroon.If the Reds are looking to expand their ranks in this position next month, they could do better than signing Inacio.