Man Utd are candidates to sign 23yo Portuguese star, he can depart for €50m - report

Manchester United are a potential candidate to sign Sporting CP centre-back Goncalo Inacio this summer, according to A Bola (page 7).

The Red Devils are primarily focused on bolstering the forward department, but they could explore a defensive reinforcement soon.

A Bola now mention that Inacio can leave the Portuguese champions for €50 million this summer. A move to the Premier League is the likely possibility.

Ruben Amorim’s United are one of the admirers but as things stand, the possibility of the 23-year-old staying at Lisbon is ‘gaining strength’.

Inacio has a €60m release clause in his contract until June 2027. Sporting CP could extend his stay for two seasons with an increased €80m buy-out figure.

Inacio to United speculation is agent-driven

Inacio has been long linked with the Red Devils. He was deemed a target a few years ago, but the club opted to sign Lisandro Martinez in their search for a left-footed centre-back.

Martinez has been injury-prone during his time at the club. Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite was considered last summer, but the Red Devils were priced out of a potential transfer.

United eventually signed a young talent in Ayden Heaven last winter to compete with Martinez. We believe the Arsenal graduate can develop into an elite centre-back.

Amorim may, of course, want a more experienced solution, but a €50m outlay seems unlikely with the club focused on signing another winger as well as a marquee striker.

A defensive midfielder could also be prioritised, with the need for more control. If United were to pursue a new centre-back, they could explore a cost-effective acquisition.

The speculation involving Inacio could be agent-driven. The Portuguese could be eyeing a bigger payday at Sporting CP. A new contract may not be far off, in our view.

Article written by Sri Aswin .