Transfer Talk: Inacio intrigue has clubs queueing up for Sporting starlet

Sam McGuire

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Goncalo Inacio was a standout performer at the back for Sporting last season

Portugal is proving to be a popular shopping destination for Premier League clubs — and Goncalo Inacio could be next to leave the Iberian peninsula.

Liverpool have already parted with £64million to pry Darwin Nunez away from Benfica this summer, while Porto playmaker Fabio Vieira has joined Arsenal for £34m.

And attention has now turned the way of Sporting, with Manchester United, Newcastle and Wolves all reportedly interested in 20-year-old centre-back Inacio.

But who is the Lions' defensive starlet and why is he so highly sought after?

On the ball

Inacio was a key player for Sporting last term, racking up 28 Primeira Liga appearances.

The central defender played in both a back three and a traditional four-man defence, as Ruben Amorim's side finished second behind Porto.

Despite his relative inexperience at this level, the Almada native was a cool head in possession — attempting more passes than any other player in the Portuguese top-flight last term.

It is a staple of his game and one of the reasons why he is being courted by teams from across Europe.

The Lions' No25 is a confident and composed ball player, who can break opposition lines with incisive and progressive passes. That is an invaluable trait in the modern game.

A relative bargain

According to reports, Inacio has a release clause in his deal of around £38.5m including add-ons.

That may seem steep for a player with just one year as a starter under his belt but his potential is there for all to see.

Goncalo Inacio was most active on the right for Sporting in 2021-22, despite playing across the defensive line

After all, he slotted seamlessly into a team that had just won the title and did not look out of place whatsoever.

The youngster signed a new long-term deal until 2026 back in April — and Sporting would likely be asking for well over £50m without that clause.

That is the going rate for elite young defenders right now and there are not many with his aerial ability, distribution skills or Champions League experience.

Mentality matters

Inacio's former youth coach Jose Lima provided an insight into what makes the Sporting defender so impressive.

Speaking back in March, he said: "The psychological aspect is one of his [Inacio's] great strengths, as he shows a lot of tranquillity in any situation, in addition to his technical skills — in the formation, he could play as a left-back because his dominant foot is his left.

Sporting's Concalo Inacio has all of the tools required to be a dominant centre-back in the modern game

"Although at Sporting now, he plays on the right side, even though that is not the dominant foot.

"He has, therefore, evolved and has been more confident with the passing of the games. He is an increasingly stronger player. He has always played with quality."

The options

Manchester United are in the market for a left-footed centre-back and have been linked heavily with Villarreal's Pau Torres.

So it is clear that Erik ten Hag wants a ball-playing defender — and Inacio would fit the bill.

Wolves also need rearguard reinforcements, having allowed both Romain Saiss and Fernando Marcal — two of their most experienced defenders — to leave on free transfers.

They certainly know the Portuguese market well and are no strangers to exploiting it.

Newcastle have been trying to add Sven Botman to their ranks for the last six months and with a deal reportedly finally being agreed, their interest in Inacio may cool.

But the Lille star and Inacio do share similarities, though the 6ft 5in Dutchman is significantly taller and would provide the Magpies with a greater aerial presence.