Liverpool look all ready to jump into the centre-back market this summer.

The Reds have been stretched at times over the course of the season, with Jarell Quansah having to step up from the academy.

Although Quansah has been impeccable, Liverpool could do with getting some help for he, Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.



As Jamie Carragher said recently, a defensive addition is absolutely imperative.

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Thankfully, it has been claimed that Liverpool will almost certainly make a centre-back addition ahead of next season.

Up until now, Sporting’s Goncalo Inacio had been seen as a relatively likely candidate.

But after some news emerged on Thursday, it looks like Liverpool may now have to switch their attention.

Bad luck, Liverpool.

The same cannot be said for Inacio’s centre-back partner Ousmane Diomande, though.

A Bola report that Sporting are ready to negotiate for Diomande.

Though he has a release clause of around £67m, the Primeira Liga champions will reportedly be ready to accept as low as £43m for the 20-year-old.

With Inacio seemingly off the table, that should now make Diomande Liverpool’s primary defensive target.

£43m does still sound like a pretty large amount to pay for a young player in just his second season as a first-teamer.

Having said that, Diomande seems like he could be a special player.

So, if Liverpool are looking in the £50m market, they’re unlikely to find better than Diomande.