Liverpool are the latest club to join Arsenal in the race for Sporting CP centre-back Goncalo Inacio, according to a report.

Sporting's Portuguese defender #25 Goncalo Inacio celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Europa League 1st round day 6 group D football match between Sporting Lisbon and Sturm Graz at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon on December 14, 2023. (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP) (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images)
Sporting’s Goncalo Inacio celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Europa League 1st round day 6 group D football match between Sporting Lisbon and Sturm Graz at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon on December 14, 2023. (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images)

Portuguese outlet Jornal de Noticias report that Liverpool have joined the list of clubs interested in Sporting CP defender Goncalo Inacio ahead of the January transfer window, but the Primeira Liga side are refusing to compromise on his €60m release clause.

Jornal de Noticias claim Liverpool are now circling around Inacio, joining Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, and Arsenal in the race for the centre-back.

A couple of days earlier, the same source had written that Arsenal were hoping to seduce Sporting with a loan and an obligation to buy Inacio at the end of the season for €60m.

LISBON, PORTUGAL - DECEMBER 14: Goncalo Inacio of Sporting CP celebrates scoring their team's third goal during the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 match between Sporting CP and SK Sturm Graz at Estadio Jose Alvalade on December 14, 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)
LISBON, PORTUGAL: Goncalo Inacio of Sporting CP celebrates scoring their team’s third goal during the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 match between Sporting CP and SK Sturm Graz at Estadio Jose Alvalade on December 14, 2023. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)

Arsenal were aware that Sporting were only willing to sell for the full release clause value, but they were hoping to put off payment until the summer whilst securing the player in January.

It wouldn’t be the first time Sporting had agreed to such a deal, having reached a similar arrangement with Tottenham Hotspur for Pedro Porro.

Over in England, the tabloids have also suggested that Arsenal are monitoring Inacio, but the more reliable outlets are yet to pick up the story.

Even in the tabloids, the suggestion was that Arsenal are unlikely to be too busy in the January transfer window, both in terms of incomings and outgoings. That would only change in the case of a serious injury.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, watches from the stands during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal FC at Villa Park on December 09, 2023. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, watches from the stands during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal FC at Villa Park on December 09, 2023. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

A Bola recently claimed the Gunners were willing to activate the defender’s release clause, given Sporting’s unwillingness to sell. But that remains to be seen.

As mentioned, Inacio has a £52m release clause and a contract that expires in 2027.

The Portuguese international made 23 appearances this season, helping Sporting to the top of their domestic league, the Europa League knockouts, and a few cup wins.