It’s been common knowledge that Liverpool have been very interested in Tiago Ilori, the young Sporting CP centre back who has also drawn some interest from other clubs (Valencia), but might be on the verge of completing a transfer that will send him to Anfield.
In general, it seems to be where you get your papers. In Spain, the report is that Valencia are going to be the winners in this dispute, with a £3.5 million offer coming from Liverpool and rejected, while in England, and specifically the Liverpool Echo, the same offer or something that’s even cheaper (according to a Bola) will be enough to bring him over.
Ilori was born in England to an English father of Nigerian descent and a Portuguese mother, and joined the Sporting youth ranks when he was 13. At the beginning his appearances have mostly been for the team’s B side in the Segunda Liga, but in the second half of the season he started featuring more and more for the club, eventually ending up with 11 league appearances, all of them playing the full 90 minutes.
Ilori also got to score his first goal for the team this season, although he’s not really known for his ability to join the attack, but mostly for his aerial ability. He has played as a left back a bit, but is at his best in the middle of the defense.
His potential arrival might not mean he’ll start right away at Anfield, but provide more competition for anyone trying to win the spot that’s next to Daniel Agger. Martin Skrtel isn’t likely to be back in the lineup or even with the club next season, while Uruguayan Sebastian Coates is waiting for his chance to finally become a constant presence in the first team after waiting long enough in his opinion. The arrival of Ilori might make it more difficult for him, and maybe slowly push him out of the team.