Manchester United linked with Sporting Lisbon defender and midfielder worth £119m – reports

Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Sporting Lisbon duo Goncalo Inacio and Morten Hjulmand this summer. GiveMeSport have reported that the duo could be worth £119 million if the Old Trafford club is successful in bringing them to the Theatre of Dreams.

Central defender Inacio was already linked in what could be a £51 million fee and help the club to replaced Raphael Varane who leaves the club this summer. United suffered a massive injury crisis during the 2023/24 season which led them to play youth or players out of position.

During the 2023/24 season, Inacio made 49 appearances for his club, scoring four goals and one assist as Sporting won the Primeira Liga for the second time in three years. He could well be a decent signing for whoever gets him this summer, if he leaves the Portuguese club.

Inacio and Hjulmand both fit the profile set by Sir Jim Ratcliffe ahead of the summer transfer window with both players under the age of 25 and not galactico-type players. United have found lots of failure since the summer of 2013. United need to do so much batter in the market.

Hjulmand, 24 could be available for a release clause of £68 million this summer after signing for Sporting last summer from Serie A side US Lecce for £15 million – which would see a significant profit for the Portuguese club if he left this summer. United really do need good players.

Signing high-profile players has not worked and he seen the club lose hundreds of millions of pounds in transfer fees, agents fees and wages and has not caused the success the club may have hoped. It is almost as if the club was run by people who know nothing about football.

Hjulmand made 49 appearances for Sporting during the 2023/24 season, scoring four goals and four assists as the club lifted their 20th league title in Portugal – a feat that United have achieved in England over the years. He can play in attacking midfield, central midfield and defensive midfield.

Sporting manager Ruben Amorim has stated the Danish international is one of the most ‘complete’ midfielders he’s worked with and Sporting would not part with him easily. Obviously, United have both Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlund at the club, which could help matters significantly.

Written by Paul