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

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.

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.

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.