Sporting Lisbon defender Goncalo Inacio could turn down a £38 million move to Premier League duo Wolverhampton Wanderers or Newcastle United, as reported by A Bola.
And that stance will go down pretty well at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
Sporting Lisbon, Portuguese champions in 2021, are determined to hang onto their prized asset until the New Year, obviously under the impression that the already highly-rated Inacio will further enhance his glittering reputation at the Qatar World Cup.
The 20-year-old centre-half is yet to make his debut for Portugal at senior level but that should change sooner rather than later. Especially when you consider that Pepe and Jose Fonte, two of Fernando Santos’ most trusted footsolders, are both closer to 40 than they are to 30.
Is Goncalo Inacio leaving Sporting Lisbon for Wolves or Newcastle?
It is no secret that Inacio’s commanding, cultured performances have caught the eye of nouveau-riche Newcastle United. The Magpies failed with a £25 million bid in January and scouted Inacio as he showcased his talents at the other end of the pitch a couple of weeks ago, scoring a long-range screamer against Tondela.
The Mirror, however, believe that Wolves are now in pole position. The Black Country outfit will reportedly hold a meeting with Sporting in the coming days regarding a potential double deal for Inacio and Joao Palhinha.
But talk about raining on your parade.
A Bola claim that Inacio has little interest in leaving Sporting for England at this stage. He wants to play for a side fighting for silverware and, with all due respect, that is not something either Wolves or Newcastle can put on the table right about now.
“It’s a very big difference in terms of competition, intensity and everything else,” says former Benfica defender Pedro Henriques, warning Inacio about the dangers of ‘too much, too soon’.
“(Inacio must) improve a little the level of aggression. I hope my worries don’t come true. He is not yet (ready for a big move). But when opportunities arise, they are to be grabbed.”
Wolves have already lost Fernando Marcal and Romain Saiss this summer. Newcastle, meanwhile, have missed out on Diego Carlos to Aston Villa and remain in negotiations for Sven Botman.
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