Surajit Das
Transfer News: Manchester United favourites to sign Goncalo Inacio from Sporting
According to transfer news from A Bola, via SportWitness, Manchester United are leading the race to sign talented Portuguese centre-back Goncalo Inacio.
Inacio has been with Sporting since 2012. The 20-year-old earned his first-team debut in October 2020 after rising through the ranks at the club. Since then, he has established himself as a regular in the senior team, making 70 appearances, 45 of which came in the 2021/22 campaign.
Inacio has played for the Portuguese national team at several age levels, and Fernando Santos recently called him up to the senior squad. The young centre-back, on the other hand, is yet to make an appearance for A Selecao.
The 20-year-old’s talent and potential have piqued the interest of various teams around Europe, with Manchester United being the most heavily connected. However, the Red Devils will now have to face competition from Barcelona in the hunt to sign the 20-year-old from Sporting CP.
The 20-year-old Portuguese striker has a €45 million release clause in his Sporting CP contract, which runs until 2026. However, the Portuguese team are prepared to sell Inacio for €40 million in order to avoid losing him for nothing.
United’s interest in the defender is currently ‘superficial,’ with the Premier League giants focusing more on offloading players. However, it is stated that if they do decide to pursue a transaction, they will be in the best position to complete the deal due to their excellent connection with his agent.
Manchester United are on the lookout for new defenders following a disastrous season last year. Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire have struggled to impress, while headline acquisition Raphael Varane has had an injury-plagued maiden season in England.
With Phil Jones and Eric Bailly certain to be sold this summer, new manager Erik ten Hag would be better off with quality reinforcement and Inacio seems to perfectly fit the requirements.
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Inacio would be a fantastic signing, especially given his immense potential at such an early age. Not to mention, with years left in his bag, his release clause is likely a possibility, especially in today’s world. As a result, knowing that we are the favourites to sign him is comforting.
Manchester United, who may be able to offer him a better deal than Barcelona, should not be put off by the €40 million estimates. So it will be interesting to observe when the Manchester United hierarchy takes a serious approach.
