Manchester United are reportedly considering making a summer move for Sporting Lisbon centre-back Goncalo Inacio.
The 23-year-old has again been an important player for Sporting during the 2024-25 campaign, making 32 appearances in all competitions, scoring five goals and registering three assists in the process.
Inacio’s future has been the subject of speculation for some time, with Liverpool thought to have a long-term interest in the Portugal international, who has a contract with the Green and Whites until June 2027.
Man United have also been linked with the defender, and according to A Bola, the 20-time English champions are weighing up a move during this summer’s transfer window.
The report claims that Borussia Dortmund attempted to sign Inacio during the January transfer market, but BVB were unable to come to an agreement with his Lisbon club over a deal.
Sporting would allegedly be willing to let the Portuguese leave this summer for a fee in the region of €45m (£37.5m).
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Man United ‘lining up summer move for Inacio’
Inacio came through the youth system at Sporting, progressing to first-team level in 2020, and he has since represented the senior side on 203 occasions, scoring 20 goals and registering 12 assists in the process.
The defender is expected to be on the move during this summer’s transfer window, and he could be offered the chance to reunite with Ruben Amorim, who left Sporting to take charge of Man United towards the end of last year.
The Red Devils also continue to be linked with Viktor Gyokeres, while another Sporting attacker is believed to be on the club’s radar, with Trincao impressing during the 2024-25 campaign.
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Do Man United need another centre-back?
Man United are currently well-stocked in the middle of their defence, with Lisandro Martinez, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire, Ayden Heaven, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans all options for the Red Devils.
Martinez is out for the remainder of the year with a serious knee injury, though, while Lindelof and Evans are both set to leave the 20-time English champions on free transfers at the end of June.
There is also speculation surrounding Maguire’s future, with Man United said to be keen to move him on this summer despite handing the experienced defender a contract extension towards the start of the year.
Everton‘s Jarrad Branthwaite continues to be linked with a switch to Old Trafford, but the Englishman could again prove to be too expensive, with the Toffees thought to value him in the region of £60m.
Inacio would represent a cheaper option, and he certainly fits the brief when it comes to Man United’s transfer policy of bringing in players towards the start of their careers rather than established stars with no resale value.
