- Manchester United interested in Goncalo Inacio
- Young defender was given debut by Ruben Amorim at Sporting
- Interest will rise ahead of World Cup
Amidst interest from the Premier League, Manchester United have joined the race to sign Sporting CP star Goncalo Inacio.
The last time that the club scouted someone from the club, they appointed Ruben Amorim, who was sacked after 14 months in charge of the club. It was the former United coach who promoted Inacio and handed him his senior debut in 2020 at the Portuguese club.
It comes as no surprise that the Old Trafford side is not the only club interested in the services of the exciting defender.
Inacio Deal is ‘Negotiable’
According to Eduardo Burgos from Diario AS, ‘big clubs’ have been put on alert after his ‘great season’ in Lisbon.
In his report, Burgos described the player as “the best defender outside the five major leagues”. Real Madrid have been named as a possible suitor. Chelsea and Liverpool are also two English clubs interested in the central defender. Both rival clubs are also monitoring Junior Kroupi from AFC Bournemouth, who United are also said to be interested in.
This season, Inacio has helped his side reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League. They narrowly trail Arsenal 1-0 from the first leg. The team is currently also embroiled in a title race with Porto, sitting in second place with six games to play.
Despite the €60m figure written into his contract, Burgos reports that the Lisbon board have been ‘deaf’ to offers so far. The player has a contract until 2030, so the club are in no rush to let the highly-rated prospect leave. Rui Borges’ side has done well to keep him at the club so far, but will find it hard to hold onto him in a World Cup year.
World Cup Will Attract Further Interest
Manchester United’s pursuit of Inacio is perhaps the most logical move they could make this summer. For a few years, the squad has lacked a naturally left-footed centre-back with the technical composure to mirror Lisandro Martinez. The Argentine has suffered from prolonged injury issues, so upgrading him could be a smart move whilst Inacio is available.
If United want to secure his signature, they need to wrap up business before the World Cup commences in June. Portugal are expected to go far, and Inacio is an established star who will star in the same starting eleven as Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot. Either alongside Tomas Araujo or Ruben Dias, the 24-year-old is a mainstay in the national side under Roberto Martinez.
Despite a release clause available, it is likely to be triggered by one of the European giants should he become a standout performer. At €60m, it would be a bargain to secure a leading defender for Portugal in years to come.
At 24, he has the blend of youth and elite experience that the Reds currently lack. Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven are promising, but need a senior figure to play alongside them to thrive. Inacio is capable of leading the defence himself, despite being a young player.
