According to the Manchester Evening News, Goncalo Inacio is one of Manchester United’s top transfer targets to bolster the central defensive area this summer.
The Red Devils have Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, and Harry Maguire as their central defensive options in the current squad.
However, it’s possible that Maguire will leave in the summer, and United may add at least one centre-back to the roster.
Inacio is high on United’s list and the 21-year-old’s contract contains a €45 million release clause. Sporting is expected to receive offers for the defender due to his low release clause. Currently, Martinez is the only left-footed central defender for the Red Devils and his injury has made things difficult for the club.
Martinez’s replacement, Luke Shaw, has filled in admirably, but manager Erik Ten Hag would prefer another left-footed specialist centre-back in the team.
We believe that Inacio would be the ideal candidate for the starting XI spot. The Portuguese player still has a lot of room to grow in his career.
He has made an astounding 90% of his passes this season, earning 1.2 tackles, 1.9 clearances, and nearly four duels per game. The 21 years old enjoys having the ball at his feet.
Next season, Ten Hag might regularly alternate him with Martinez to equalise the workload.
Sporting is presently trying to raise the defender’s release clause to €80 million, so United may need to start negotiating with the defender’s representatives to convince him as soon as possible.
