Real Madrid will reportedly compete with Manchester United to sign 23-year-old Portuguese international Goncalo Inacio from Sporting CP.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Goncalo Inacio is the subject of interest from Real Madrid. The Sporting CP centre-back is also a target for Manchester United, whose new manager, Ruben Amorim, brought the best out of the Portuguese international. Meanwhile, the young defender has a release clause worth €60 million in his contract with the Primeira Liga champions.
Goncalo Inacio and his rise in recent years
Goncalo Inacio has established himself as one of the best young defenders in the world since breaking into the first-team squad at Sporting CP. A native of Almada, he began his youth career at his hometown club before joining the fabled academy at Sporting CP in 2012. Since then, he has come leaps and bounds, going from strength to strength in the last dozen years.
The 23-year-old made his first-team bow for Sporting CP in October 2020, and since then, he has not looked back. Inacio has turned out nearly 200 times thus far for the Primeira Liga champions while chipping in with 17 goals and 22 assists.
Inacio’s exploits for Sporting have also helped him establish a foothold in his national squad, making 12 appearances for Portugal. Meanwhile, the Portuguese defender’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs across Europe, including Real Madrid and Manchester United. However, he will not come cheap, considering his contract has a release clause worth €60 million.
Big-money move beckons?
Manchester United’s interest in Goncalo Inacio makes sense. The Red Devils are scouring the market for a left-footed centre-back amid Jonny Evans’s advancing years. While Manchester United signed two central defenders in the summer transfer window, Inacio remains a viable target. In addition, reuniting with Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford might be an exciting opportunity.
As for Real Madrid, the reigning La Liga champions are keen on signing a centre-back in the 2025 summer transfer window, considering Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba are on the wrong side of 30. In addition, the defensive unit needs an overhaul after Eder Militao picked up a second long-term knee injury in as many years.
So, Inacio is a viable target for Real Madrid, and the Merengues should have the funds to afford a deal worth €60 million to sign the Portuguese international. However, Manchester United will not throw in the towel easily in the race to secure the 23-year-old Sporting CP defender’s services.
