Manchester United are among the clubs keen to plot a move for Goncalo Inacio, with Sporting CP expecting an imminent proposal.
According to Record via Sport Witness, Manchester United could submit a proposal for Goncalo Inacio before the summer window. Sporting CP know the defender’s likelihood to leave and want to raise his release clause through a new contract.
Manchester United will enter the summer market looking for players in different positions. One of the areas is the central defence, with Erik ten Hag keen to add quality to his backline. And they will likely sell some of his underperforming stars there.
Harry Maguire could leave the club, and even Victor Lindelof, with the duo below the current pecking order. While Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez have cemented their place as first-choice centre-backs, they may not sustain a whole season as a pair.
Hence, the need to add more bodies in defence, especially ones with quality and style that suits Ten Hag. Goncalo Inacio has been of interest to Manchester United, with his price tag the big factor in the club’s confident pursuit of the defender.
Inacio has a €45 million release clause in his contract, which may appeal to several clubs. Newcastle United are also keen on the 21-year-old defender, meaning Manchester United will face stiff competition in the pursuit. Sporting CP know of the growing admiration in Inacio and are ready to take the necessary steps.
While they are not opposed to a sale, they may want to extract more value in the market for the promising 21-year-old defender. Sporting CP want Inacio to sign a new contract that would raise his release clause from the current figure of €45 million.
The Portuguese side are wary an offer from one of the interested clubs could arrive at any time. Hence they remain desperate to agree on a new deal with Inacio. The 21-year-old defender, however, does not want the new release clause to exceed €70 million, while Sporting want it to be €80 million.
Hence, Manchester United could ponder making an early offer to sign the defender. They may have to pay the full value of his current release clause, and time is of the essence in this deal. If they delay an offer, the price might go up significantly.
Inacio remains one of Europe’s most prominent young defenders in his age group. The 21-year-old would have the choice of clubs had his release clause been any lower, but he continues to grab the attention of some of the biggest clubs from England and Spain.
