Newcastle United could step up their pursuit of Goncalo Inacio and plan on signing the defender for less than his €60 million asking price.
According to Football Insider, Newcastle United are ready to step up their chase of Goncalo Inacio in the coming days. Eddie Howe remains keen to sign a new centre-back, with the €60 million-rated Portuguese international seeming like a good fit for this system.
Goncalo Inacio made a stellar mark with his consistent performances for Sporting CP last season. He racked up 52 appearances across all competition, scoring four times and providing three assists. His presence for the club and now in the Portugal national side has attracted the interest of top clubs, with a transfer on the cards.
A host of top clubs retain an interest in the 21-year-old, including Chelsea, Liverpool and Real Madrid. The defender has a hefty price tag on his head, with Sporting cp showing no signs of accepting anything less than his €60 million release clause.
That price tag may have warded off a few of his suitors already, but Newcastle United may stand firm and look to make a move. The Magpies are heavily interested in Inacio during the current window, with Eddie Howe keen on a new centre-back.
The Magpies could lose Jamal Lascelles and a few others in the close season, as Howe would want players he could rely on for what may become a long season. After nearly two decades, Champions League football returns to St James Park, which could become a luring point for many top stars.
Like many of his international colleagues, Inacio remains open to a new challenge and wants to play in the Premier League. Whether he would prefer Newcastle United remains the question, but the Magpies seem attractive in the current climate.
Newcastle are reportedly trying out ways to sign the €60 million-rated Portuguese international for less than his release clause. They might look for ways to negotiate a deal with Sporting CP, but considering the player’s stature, that may prove a futile effort.
Howe wants to add a defender, attacking midfielder and possibly a striker before the season begins. He could see Inacio as a stellar addition to Sandro Tonali after the midfielder joined from Milan in a massive deal. Whether they manage to sign the 21-year-old Porgueuse international remains a big question, as more clubs could come into the picture as the window progresses.
