Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing highly-rated centre-back Goncalo Inacio from Sporting CP in the January transfer window.
According to Fichajes, Chelsea are exploring a potential January move for Sporting CP’s Portugal centre-back Goncalo Inacio. But they may have to wage a battle with Premier League rivals.
With the summer transfer window coming to a close less than two weeks ago, it seems that Chelsea are already preparing for what moves to make come January. Despite crossing the £1 billion spending mark under the Todd Boehly era this past summer, the Blues remain determined to reinforce their squad.
Maurcio Pochettino has thus identified strengthening the defensive area as a priority. And the Argentine has a name in his mind: Sporting CP’s Inacio. The Portuguese defensive sensation has emerged at the top of Pochettino’s list of targets. The report has also added that the Chelsea head coach has asked the Blues hierarchy to make a push to get a deal done for the 22-year-old in the middle of the season.
Inacio is hailed as one of the most promising young talents currently coming through in his homeland. Already a full-time Portuguese international, the 21-year-old has racked up over 100 first-team appearances for Sporting CP, helping the club clinch the Primeira Liga, Taca da Liga, and Supertaca Candido de Oliveira.
Last season, he was ever-present for the Lions, as he featured in 52 games and made seven goal contributions in all competitions as the Green and Whites finished fourth in the Primeira Liga. A full-time Portugal international, he recently grabbed the headlines after scoring a brace in the cruising 9-0 victory over Luxembourg in the UEFA Euro 2024 qualification clash.
Inacio has been attracting the attention of multiple Premier League clubs, with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Liverpool recently being named as potential suitors; however, he penned a new contract with his current employers last month to keep him at the club until 2027. But that has done little to deter interest from Premier League suitors, with Chelsea and Liverpool still after his signature.
Although he is only 22 years old, Inacio already has a great deal of first-team experience, and his performances demonstrate he is ready to take the next step in his career. So, Chelsea should undoubtedly test the waters with a bid in the winter transfer market.
But another left-footed defender is not certainly an urgent need given they are very well-stacked in that area of the pitch, with Benoit Badiashile and Lewi Colwill battling it out for one spot.
They also signed Axel Disasi from AS Monaco for €45 million this past summer, while Trevoh Chalobah is also on the books of the Stamford Bridge outfit. Disasi effectively covers for the injured Wesley Fofana, although with that price tag, he will be hoping to challenge Fofana when fit rather than only deputise for him.
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With Chalobah expected to be sold in the coming transfer windows and veteran Thiago Silva heading into the final year of his Chelsea deal, maybe Chelsea’s Inacio pursuit would make more sense down the line if Pochettino has plans to continue the back-three system going forward. Either way, it will be interesting to see what Blues’ transfer strategy will be in January market.
