Arsenal are now emerging as the frontrunners to sign Goncalo Inacio amid Liverpool joining the race and Sporting Lisbon accepting the defender’s transfer is ‘inevitable’.
The 22-year-old has been one of Sporting’s stars of their season so far, having taken a vital presence under boss Ruben Amorim. He is a fundamental cog in the Leoes’ backline with 23 appearances from 25 games. Inacio has missed their past two matches due to a suspension.
But his performances at the Estadio Jose Alvalade have now tempted Arsenal and Liverpool to show an interest in Inacio. The Premier League title rivals may even fight it out for a deal. Yet A Bola reports that it is the Gunners who are making more incisive efforts to sign Inacio.
Arsenal and Liverpool are interested in Sporting Lisbon’s Goncalo Inacio
Liverpool are emerging as a potential destination for the five-cap Portugal international but trail Arsenal for Inacio’s transfer from Sporting. He is even also on Real Madrid’s radar given his form. Yet the Leoes will only let the centre-back go for his €60m (£52m) release clause.
A Bola notes that an unnamed Premier League squad is preparing an offer, worth an upfront €40m (£34.5m) rising €20m (£17m) in easy-to-achieve add-ons. But Sporting would reject the bid, even though the Liga Portugal giants accept Inacio’s transfer in 2024 is ‘inevitable’.
Instead, Sporting are asking Inacio to stay until at least the summer market rather than leave amid a title fight. The Leoes have also promised Amorim that they will only sell Inacio during January for his release clause. Sporting are currently top of Liga Portugal but by only a point.
Goncalo Inacio is Mikel Arteta’s top defensive transfer target for January
Sporting will do everything they can to avoid losing Inacio in a January transfer amid interest from Arsenal and Liverpool. A Bola even adds that the Leoes could agree his sale this month on a condition that he stays until the summer. Amorim is determined to keep his vital player.
Arsenal and Liverpool, then, must meet Inacio’s release clause if they want his transfer from Sporting in January. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta certainly seems determined to secure a deal. Dean Jones reports the Spaniard has made the Portuguese his top defensive January target.
Arteta has identified Inacio as Arsenal’s top January transfer target for backline upgrades as he prioritises their defence. The injury problems that Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu have sustained this season have convinced Arteta that Arsenal must invest in their backline.
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