Coach baffled as Newcastle United call off potential £52m January transfer

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Goncalo Inacio’s former Sporting Lisbon coach cannot understand why Premier League giants Newcastle United appear to have walked away from a potential £52 million deal. 

According to Radio Renascenca, Newcastle United are unlikely to turn their interest in the 22-year-old Portugal international into anything more concrete during the January window. 

Why? Well, there are a couple of reasons. 

Newcastle reportedly feel that £52 million – Goncalo Inacio’s release clause – is far too much to spend on a player who would not be guaranteed a place in Eddie Howe’s XI. Sven Botman, after all, has the left-sided centre-back spot locked down already. 

Furthermore, the Magpies reportedly have reservations over the speed of Inacio’s progress, believing that his development has stalled of late.

While there is some logic to the first argument, Leonel Pontes certainly doesn’t ‘agree’ with the second one. 

Newcastle United have Goncalo Inacio doubts

“I don’t agree (with Newcastle’s stance). Goncalo Inacio (has been) an almost an undisputed starter in the last two years and already has a national team career,” Pontes, who coached the Portugal international in Sporting’s academy, tells Bola Branca. 

“He has evolved progressively in the various aspects that are part of a player’s growth. Whoever made this analysis did not evaluate what Goncalo Inacio was and what he is at this moment.

“If he is going to a team that requires constant transitions, he may have difficulties. But for a team that likes to go out and play, and build up from the defence, Goncalo Inacio has a place in English football.

“I believe that there is space (for Inacio) at Newcastle.” 

Manchester United keen

As things stand, Manchester United potentially feel like the most obvious destination for Inacio. Fabrizio Romano reports that the youngster – who’s two Portugal goals were both set up by Bruno Fernandes – is on United’s shortlist as Erik ten Hag’s side prioritise an up-and-coming centre-half. 

Do not sleep on Liverpool, either.

The Merseyside giants are also pursuing left-sided centre-halves, having recently shown an interest in Levi Colwill, Arthur Theate and Piero Hincapie.