Manchester United’s pursuit of Sporting CP defender Gonçalo Inacio is heating up, with the Portuguese giants finally opening the door to a summer sale. After years of admiration, the Red Devils now face a critical decision: pay £37m for a player who could redefine their backline for years or risk losing another potential transfer like Quenda.
Amorim’s Influence
Inacio’s ties to United boss Ruben Amorim run deep. The 23-year-old blossomed under Amorim at Sporting, making 203 appearances and winning two league titles. Now, with Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans set to depart, Amorim sees Inacio as the ideal left-footed center-back to anchor his rebuild. “Whoever wants to take him will have to have at least €45 million,” A Bola confirmed.
Bruno Fernandes could play a major role in this saga. Both he and Inacio share agent Miguel Pinho, who brokered Fernandes’s move to Old Trafford. With Pinho’s influence and Fernandes’s recent contract extension, United have a tactical edge. “Inacio is represented by Miguel Pinho, who is Bruno Fernandes’ agent,” A Bola noted, hinting at behind-the-scenes persuasion.
Sporting’s price tag hasn’t scared off suitors. Borussia Dortmund pushed hard in January, while Real Madrid also looms as a potential suitor. Inacio’s stats justify the hype: 91% pass accuracy domestically, 80% in Europe, and 1.6 tackles per game. But United’s hierarchy remains cautious. Despite being on the verge of bids for months, financial constraints and a crowded defence with Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, and Harry Maguire are already on the books, complicating matters.
Lindelof and Evans’ exits free up wages and space at the back, but Maguire’s uncertain future adds urgency. Inacio’s left-footedness and comfort in a back three align perfectly with Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system. At 23, he also fits INEOS’s mandate to sign players towards the start of their careers rather than fading stars.
Sporting’s need to balance the books after selling Geovany Quenda and Dario Essugo to Chelsea plays into United’s hands. The club plans to offload either Inacio or Ousmane Diomande, with the former likelier to depart. However, with Amorim’s pull and Bruno’s connections, United could hold an advantage in the bidding war.
At €45m, Inácio is a bargain compared to Everton’s £60m rated Jarrad Branthwaite. His familiarity with Amorim’s tactics and Bruno’s lobbying gives United leverage, but a delay could prove costly. If Manchester United backs Amorim’s vision, Inacio might just be the steal of the summer.