Premier League table-toppers Arsenal are the best-placed club to sign Sporting CP defender Goncalo Inacio, a target for Liverpool.
According to a report by Portuguese outlet A Bola, Goncalo Inacio is the subject of interest from Arsenal. The Gunners are the best-positioned club to land the Portuguese international, whose release clause is worth €60 million. Meanwhile, the Sporting CP defender is also a target for Liverpool.
Goncalo Inacio: The Story So Far
Goncalo Inacio is one of the best young defenders in the world, having gone from strength to strength since breaking into the first-team squad at Sporting CP. The 22-year-old is also growing in stature on the international stage, making his debut for his national side this year.
The Portuguese international has turned out nearly 150 times thus far for Sporting CP, chipping in with 14 goals and eight assists. But the Green and Whites have no control over Inacio’s long-term future due to a release clause in his contract. So, suitors can trigger it and pay €60 million to prise him away from the Jose Alvalade Stadium.
The youngster has no shortage of suitors, with La Liga heavyweights Real Madrid keen on signing him. Premier League bigwigs like Manchester United and Tottenham have also shown interest in him. But Arsenal and Liverpool might be the front-runners to land the Sporting CP defender.
Arsenal Leading Race To Sign Inacio?
The report by A Bola has pointed to Arsenal being best placed to sign the Portuguese centre-back. Recent updates have suggested that the Gunners might take a leaf out of Tottenham’s playbook by offering a loan-to-buy deal for Inacio. Either way, Arsenal can afford his release clause of €60 million.
The same goes for Liverpool, who should be able to afford to pay €60 million to secure Inacio’s services. The Reds need a new centre-back, with Virgil van Dijk on the wrong side of 30 and Joel Matip facing an uncertain future at Anfield. So, the Portuguese international has emerged as a viable target for Liverpool.
With Arsenal being best placed to sign Goncalo Inacio, a deal might be on the cards. But Sporting CP will likely look to convince the 22-year-old to remain at the Jose Alvalade Stadium until the end of the season before leaving in the summer transfer window.
