Manchester United want to sign Sporting Lisbon and Portugal defender Goncalo Inacio, according to reports by O Jogo. The central defender enjoyed a stellar season for Sporting which saw his side win the Primeira Liga, his second league title during his career.
Inacio has been included in the provisional training squad in Roberto Martinez’s Portugal squad ahead of the European Championships this summer and now United are reportedly ready to make a move to sign the 22-year-old with the club in need of central defenders this summer.
It has been stated that United have held interest in Inacio for some time and this move does not matter what happens with Erik ten Hag this summer, which does solidify the rumour that the club will be in charge of signings now – rather than the manager picking the players themselves.
Liverpool could rival United for the signature of Inacio this summer and Arsenal were interested in the player in January, so they could reignite that interest in the player with both teams able to offer Inacio UEFA Champions League football during the 2024/25 season.
It has been reported that Sporting would require a minimum of £51 million to let Inacio leave the Estádio José Alvalade this summer, which is a competitive fee for a player of his age, ability and experience. The player is left footed and can play at centre-back, left-back and defensive midfield.
During the 2023/24 season, Inacio made a total of 49 appearances for his club, scoring four goals and one assist with Sporting winning the Primeira Liga for the twentieth time in their history – which is a massive achievement. United will need to replace the experience of Raphael Varane this summer.
It is suggested that United have a number of alternatives to Inacio with Chelsea defender Trevor Chalobah another option. It has also been reported that minority owner of the club – Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the CEO of Ineos only wants to sign players under 25 who are not galactico-type players.
This is something that has seen United waste hundreds of millions of pounds on over the last decade buying players who are superstars and have not necessarily made the club better with them playing for the club. United need players who will play for the shirt and want to achieve – which is good.
Written by Paul
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