Newcastle United made a €30million move for Sporting defender Goncalo Inacio in January – and would now need to pay €40million.
That’s according to O Jogo, who claim that Inacio is now set to renew his contract with the Portuguese side.
A deal is expected to be announced when Inacio returns from international duty as Portugal take on Turkey this week.
This new deal adds a year onto Inacio’s contract, taking him up until 2026, gives him a pay rise and keeps his release clause at €45million (£37.5million).
Yet the report claims that Sporting would sell for €40million (£33million) having rejected Newcastle’s January offer.
Newcastle offered €30million (£25million) for Inacio in January and Sporting completely refused to sell.
This new deal gives them a little more protection on Inacio whilst rewarding him for his displays, but doesn’t entirely rule out a sale.
Newcastle may now hope to return with a new bid for Inacio in the summer, but that depends on how Eddie Howe wants to build his defence.
One of the appealing things with Inacio is that he is a naturally left-footed defender, meaning he can bring balance to a back line.
Newcastle did sign a left-sided centre back in January though, bringing Dan Burn to St James’ Park from Brighton and Hove Albion.
Yet Newcastle continue to be linked with other left-sided centre backs such as Lloyd Kelly and Sven Botman.
Is Howe planning to pair two left-sided defenders together? We don’t really see that very often, but is it that much different from playing two right-footed defenders?
Howe may just feel that good defenders are good defenders and 20-year-old Inacio would fit that bill.
At such a young age, Inacio has shown great quality and enormous potential in the Sporting side, becoming a key man under Ruben Amorim.
Whilst Burn is experienced, Newcastle may fancy adding a young defender for the future.
Inacio could be that player, and this new contract seemingly won’t rule out a possible move to Newcastle.
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