Liverpool and Manchester United scouts will be in Portugal to watch Goncalo Inacio when Sporting CP takes on rivals Benfica.
According to Correio da Manha via Sport Witness, Liverpool and Manchester United will scout defensive target Gonaclo Inacio at the weekend. The idea of watching the €60 million-rated defender play in a big derby under pressure will help them gauge his quality better as those teams ponder a January approach.
Plenty of talents emerging out of Portugal have caught the eye of top clubs in the continent, with Goncalo Inacio probably making the biggest impression. The Portuguese international has had a sensational last 18 months with Sporting CP, who will fight to keep him on board.
A host of clubs are chasing his signature, with Real Madrid closely linked with a move. Some reports suggested Sporting CP could accept a €45 million fee from the Spanish giants. They remain a persistent force in the case of the €60 million-rated defender.
Real Madrid aren’t alone in pursuing the centre-back. Liverpool and Manchester United recently scouted the €60 million-rated defender. The Premier League duo have entered the market for a new central defensive addition. They may pursue the signature of the Portuguese star with vigour.
Sporting are not interested in a January sale, but their hands remain tied owing to the €60 million release clause in Inacio’s contract. Hence, any side keen on the defender must trigger the clause to take him away, which puts the Portuguese side in a precarious position.
The latest on Inacio suggests that Liverpool and Manchester United are set to scout the €60 million-rated defender again. Observers from both clubs are keen to explore the defender’s game further. Inacio will feature in a high-octane derby against rivals Benfica away from home.
Those clubs are eager to see how Inacio plays in a pressured situation and a game of that magnitude. It could give those sides a new perspective on him ahead of the January window. Liverpool remain in the lead for Inacio, but Manchester United and Real Madrid could pose a significant challenge in the race.
As for Sporting, they would live to keep their academy star at the club for maybe another six months. But when any side deals with release clauses for one of their prized assets, there’s always the danger of some of the bigger sides.
