Newcastle United have reportedly had an offer worth €33 million knocked back for highly-coveted Sporting CP defender Goncalo Inacio.
According to the print edition of Portuguese outlet Correio da Manha, as relayed by Sport Witness, Newcastle United hold a serious interest in Sporting CP’s 20-year-old defender Goncalo Inacio and have had a €33 million bid rejected for the Portuguese defender.
An academy product of Sporting CP, Inacio made his debut for the Portuguese outfit in October 2020 and has since made over 70 appearances over the last two seasons. He has established himself as a vital cog in Ruben Amorim’s side and helped Sporting win the Primeira Liga, Taca de Liga and Supertaca Candido de Oliveira over the past two seasons.
Last season, he made 45 appearances for the Lions across all competitions, chipping in with five goals and three assists. The 20-year-old has been one of the top young prospects in Portugal for the last two seasons and is expected to make a jump to a bigger club this summer with a host of elite teams across the continent in the race for his signature.
Inacio has a contract that runs until 2026 at Estadio Jose Alvalade, which includes a €45 million release clause. Newcastle, for one, were unsuccessful with an approach during the January transfer window, but they have backed that interest up by lodging a €33 million this summer to bring the 20-year-old defender into their ambitious plans for the future.
However, that bid has been subsequently turned down by Sporting. The Magpies have already acquired a new centre-back in Sven Botman for a hefty price tag. Newcastle boss Eddie Howe may see Inacio, 20, as a long-term partner for the Dutchman at the heart of his team’s backline.
That said, with both Botman and Inacio being left-footed and Newcastle still scrambling to bring attacking reinforcements through the door, this one appears doubtful. It is also noted that Sporting want Inacio’s suitors to pay his exit clause in full to secure his services, something Newcastle are unlikely to do for the time being.
Paris Saint-Germain, along with Manchester United and Barcelona, are also interested in the Portuguese centre-back. The reigning Ligue 1 champions have yet to make a bid, but they are hoping to do a deal for a fee in the same ballpark as Newcastle.
PSG have already beaten Newcastle to the signing of one highly-touted youngster this summer and will be aiming to repeat the trick again as the two clubs face off for the Portuguese defender. Previously, Newcastle came close to signing Hugo Ekitike, but the deal fell through as the striker’s agent’s last-minute demands were rejected, only for the player’s head to be turned by PSG’s interest.
As for their interest in Inacio, Newcastle are unlikely to follow up their opening bid for the defender due to their budget constraints this summer, with Dan Burn a solid operator at the Premier League level for now, especially after his impressive displays following his January arrival. However, the Magpies may return for Inacio next summer, considering their long-standing interest in the promising defender
