Newcastle United target Goncalo Inacio wants a move to the Premier League – but Sporting are giving first option to Manchester United instead.
That’s according to The Sunday Mirror (08/05, p72), as they claim that there is a real battle going on for Inacio’s signature this summer.
It’s stated that Newcastle did try and sign Inacio in January but Sporting fended them off.
Newcastle still want Inacio though and Sporting are now willing to sell for around £40million this summer.
AC MIlan are keen but a source close to Inacio has allegedly made it clear that the centre back prefers a one to the Premier League.
That’s great news for Newcastle, right?
Well, maybe not. This report claims that Sporting have a close relationship with Manchester Untied – most likely due to the 2020 deal involving Bruno Fernandes.
United are now being given first option on Inacio as a result, despite ‘more intense’ interest from Newcastle as things stand.
United may attempt to retool their team this summer and adding a left-sided centre back should be a focus.
Even if Erik ten Hag can get Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire thriving together, United may still need a left-sided centre back.
Left-footed defenders like Lisandro Martinez and Daley Blind have been key to Ten Hag’s build-up play at Ajax, so Inacio may fit the bill too.
United must now decide just how keen they are on signing Inacio, as it looks like a deal is there to be done.
Newcastle will of course hope that United look elsewhere as they look to pair Inacio with Dan Burn at St James’ Park.
That would be two left-footed centre backs playing together, which is something we don’t see very often but Eddie Howe may look to make it happen.
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