Goncalo Inacio is open to joining a Premier League side, as Sporting CP might show flexibility with the €45 million price tag.
According to Correio da Manha via Sport Witness, a host of Premier League sides were boosted by the prospect of Goncalo Inacio wanting a move to England. The 21-year-old defender wants a bigger challenge in his career, and Sporting CP could show flexibility in their demand for the €45 million release clause.
Sporting CP are open to selling Goncalo Inacio as long as interested clubs pay up his release clause. Usually, in most cases, clubs would demand the whole amount in a single payment, but as recent trend shows, teams have started to get flexible in that aspect.
In the case of Inacio, there’s a €45 million release clause in his contract, which Sporting CP are open to receiving in instalments and also have add-ons included. The report insists the Portuguese side might accept a bid of €35 million plus €10 million, which boosts the prospects of Premier League teams.
This report mentions Arsenal as the main suitor, with recent stories pointing at their interest in Inacio. Mikel Arteta surely needs a new centre-back, and the 21-year-old fits the profile. However, they are inching closer to signing Jurrien Timber, who seems like their top priority in this phase.
Hence, any move from Arsenal might come in a different phase of this window. Arteta might prioritise signing another central midfielder beside Declan Rice, with Romeo Lavia their reported target. Moreover, any move after potentially spending €200 million on three players would require sales to offset the €45 million required to prise Inacio.
In terms of Liverpool’s interest in the €45 million-rated defender, the scenario differs from Arsenal’s. Jurgen Klopp wants a new centre-back to shore up his backline and already considers Inacio a target for this window.
The price point and the flexibility Sporting CP shows could favour Liverpool, considering they have a small budget. Hence, a move to Anfield remains possible, and the recent developments with Inacio favour the Merseysiders.
Finally, there’s Manchester United, who have scouted Inacio to understand his profile in depth. They are looking for a new centre-back to add depth and competition for places. Erik ten Hag would like to see Harry Maguire leave, and the 21-year-old Portuguese could replace the England international.
Inacio’s desire to join a Premier League side could help him finalise this summer’s move. One of the three interested clubs could sign him, although there are doubts whether Arsenal would pursue a deal irrespective of the price point mentioned.
