La Liga champions Real Madrid are reportedly interested in Portuguese centre-back Goncalo Inacio, whose release clause is worth €45 million.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Goncalo Inacio is the subject of interest from Real Madrid. The Portuguese centre-back has a release clause worth €45 million in his deal with Sporting CP. But the Merengues are not ready to shell out such a sum for the youngster.
Goncalo Inacio started his youth career at Almada AC before joining Sporting CP in 2012. And the 21-year-old spent most of his formative years with the Lions before rising through the ranks at the club. He made his first-team debut for Sporting a few years ago and has not looked back since then.
The Portuguese centre-back has established himself as a pivotal figure for Sporting CP, becoming a mainstay at the back. Despite being only 21 years old, Inacio has made over 100 appearances for the Verde e brancos, chipping in with nine goals and seven assists. The player’s progress has not gone unnoticed either, with Real Madrid among his prospective suitors.
Real Madrid will look to sign a centre-back for the fourth successive summer transfer window. That is because Nacho faces an uncertain future at the Santiago Bernabeu amid a lack of progress over contract renewal talks. If discussions between Real Madrid and Nacho do not conclude favourably, the Spaniard will depart as a free agent.
In addition, Jesus Vallejo will likely leave Real Madrid in the summer transfer window to resurrect his stuttering career. So the reigning La Liga champions might need to dip their toes in the market for a centre-back. Josko Gvardiol has thus emerged as a viable target, with Real Madrid leading the race to sign the Croat.
But RB Leipzig will fight tooth and nail to retain the services of the Croatian international. In addition, Gvardiol will unlikely force a move away from the Red Bull Arena. Inacio has thus emerged as a viable alternative. But his release clause, worth €45 million, poses a problem.
While Real Madrid can afford to pay such a sum, they are not willing to splash €45 million on the 21-year-old. Meanwhile, the Portuguese centre-back is a target for several Premier League clubs. And if the Merengues do not shell out the required sum on Inacio, England might be his next destination.
