Manchester United 'interested in signing Goncalo Inacio from Sporting Lisbon'

Manchester United are reportedly keen on a summer deal for Sporting Lisbon centre-back Goncalo Inacio.

The 21-year-old has been in impressive form for his Portuguese club during the 2022-23 campaign, featuring on 45 occasions in all competitions, contributing three goals and three assists in the process.

Inacio has a contract in Lisbon until June 2026, but there is currently a host of speculation surrounding his future, with a number of clubs believed to be interested in his signature.

Liverpool have previously been linked with the defender, while Newcastle United are also believed to be keeping a close eye on the developments.

According to Football Insider, there is also 'major interest' from Man United, with the Red Devils prepared to meet Sporting's £45m asking price for the Portugal international.

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The report claims that Inacio's representatives have been in Italy, Spain and England speaking to a number of clubs about a possible move during this summer's transfer window.

The centre-back came through the youth system at Sporting, and he has now represented the Green and Whites on 115 occasions in all competitions, scoring 10 times and providing eight assists.

The Portuguese has played 27 times in the Primeira Liga this season, but the Lions are currently down in fourth position in the table, some 13 points behind leaders Benfica.

Sporting are chasing success in the Europa League, though, preparing to take on Juventus in the second leg of their quarter-final, trailing 1-0 from the first leg in Turin.

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Inacio was on the scoresheet against Arsenal earlier in the competition, while he played the full 90 minutes of the contest with Juventus in Italy last week.

Man United are currently well-stocked in the middle of their defence, but there are expected to be a number of outgoings in that area of the field during this summer's transfer window.

Axel Tuanzebe and Phil Jones are set to leave on free transfers, while the futures of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof are in doubt due to their struggles for action this term.

Eric Bailly is due back at Old Trafford this summer following a loan spell at Marseille, but the Ivory Coast international could then depart on a permanent basis.

Man United's first-choice centre-backs Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez are currently on the sidelines through injury, with the latter out for the remainder of the campaign due to a fractured metatarsal.