Newcastle United and Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Sporting CP defender Goncalo Inacio.
According to a report from O Jog, as relayed by Sport Witness, Sporting CP will demand €45 million for Goncalo Inacio. Newcastle United and Manchester United are hoping to sign the Portuguese defender at the end of the season.
Newcastle United have put together an impressive squad so far under their new ownership. But they will need to bring in reinforcements if they want to compete for trophies and reach the next stage of their development as a club.
The Magpies are currently fighting for UEFA Champions League qualification. And they will need better players next season if they manage to secure a top-four finish. Several centre-backs, including Evan Ndicka, have thus emerged on Newcastle’s radar. And Goncalo Inacio is also a viable target.
Inacio is highly rated in Portugal and could prove to be a quality acquisition for the Magpies. Sven Botman has been one of the best defenders in the Premier League this season. But Eddie Howe could certainly use an upgrade on someone like Dan Burn. It remains to be seen whether Newcastle are ready to pay the €45 million asking price for the defender.
Meanwhile, Manchester United are keeping tabs on his situation as well, and the Red Devils could make a move in the summer. Erik ten Hag will have to find an alternative for Harry Maguire if the English international leaves the club at the end of the season.
The 29-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away from Manchester United after falling down the pecking order at Old Trafford. Both clubs have the financial resources to pull off the transfer. And it remains to be seen where Inacio ends up.
The Portuguese defender will hope to play regularly at his new club. So Newcastle and Manchester United will have to provide him with first-team assurances. The Red Devils already have players like Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane as the first-choice centre-back. It seems that a move to Newcastle could be more suited to the Sporting defender.
The player has the potential to justify the reported €45 million asking price, and it will be interesting to see how the situation develops. The report from O Jogo also claims that Paris Saint-Germain and Wolverhampton Wanderers are showing interest in the defender.
Apparently, Newcastle United tried to sign the player in the summer, and they offered €33 million for his services. However, the Portuguese outfit turned down the offer, and the Magpies will have to shell out the asking price to sign him in the summer this year.
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