Sporting Lisbon are aiming to “increase” the buyout clause of Liverpool target Goncalo Inacio, according to O Jogo.

The Portuguese newspaper claims that Sporting’s “priority” this summer is to hand Inacio, Nuno Santos and Pedro Goncalves new contracts and to protect their value by increasing their release fees.

Inacio’s clause currently stands at €45m (£38.6m) and reports in the Spanish media this week have claimed that the defender is attracting interest from Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle.

Of course, Inacio knows that a move away from Sporting would be easier if he refuses a contract extension which includes a higher buyout fee, so the player’s stance on his future will be crucial.

Liverpool are in the market for a left-sided centre-back

It is believed that the Reds are keen to bring in a left-footed defender this summer. All of the club’s current centre-halves are right-footed so signing someone like Inacio would make a lot of sense.

The Portuguese international is young at 21 years of age, and he could also be relatively cheap if the release clause stays as it is.

The midfield remains the priority

With the Reds reportedly closing in on a deal for RB Leipzig’s Dominik Szoboszlai, the Merseyside club’s midfield rebuild is progressing well.

However, even if Szoboszlai does sign on the dotted line, many believe that another midfielder could still be needed in order to make up for the loss of Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner this summer.

Southampton’s Romeo Lavia and Nice’s Khephren Thuram are known to be the other names on Liverpool’s shortlist to strengthen in the middle of the park. If the Reds do snap up one of these two players as well, it may then lead to the club shifting focus to defence, with Inacio seemingly one of the main targets being looked at.