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It’s no news to anyone that United are in the market for a centre-back this summer transfer window.
Last season saw the Red Devils fall victim to a plague of injuries, especially in defence. The campaign saw players like Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia all sidelined from injury.
To overcome the injury woes felt by the back line, Erik ten Hag had to rely on Sofyan Amrabat, Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot to cover these absences.
On top of the fear of being caught short if this were to happen again, United are also losing one of their key centre-backs with his contract coming to an end.
Veteran of the game, Raphael Varane is all set to leave Old Trafford at the end of his contract with no club lined up as of yet to become his home, ready for next season.
Looking for a replacement for the well-decorated Frenchman has led United to be linked with a number of promising youngsters.
Everton key defender, Jarrad Branthwaite has been a main name on United’s shortlist, with the Englishman being valued at between £60 million to £70 million.
Jean-Clair Todibo of Nice has also come up, with INEOS being owners of both clubs making him well known to the bosses of United.
More recently Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah and Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo have also come up as potential targets, all of which meet the rumoured new transfer policy of targeting players under the age of 25 and showing promise to build a foundation for seasons to come.
Now, Italian reporter Fabrizio Romano has announced that United are keeping an eye on another promising young talent.
Sporting Lisbon’s Goncalo Inacio has reportedly been turning the eye of United scouts in recent months, with the centre-back having a release clause of around £50 million.
The Portuguese star has been essential to Sporting’s campaign, helping them secure the Liga Portugal title this season, 10 points above Benfica, with the 22-year-old only missing two games all season, one through suspension and the other through injury.
A graduate of the Sporting academy, Inacio has already made 171 appearances for the senior team across all competitions, with an impressive 15 goals and 9 assists, making it no surprise that he’s also represented his national team, earning a call-up to the Portuguese provisional squad for the European Championship in Germany this year.
With youth on his side and a much lower release clause than some others on United’s centre-back shortlist, Inacio may be a very realistic option to move to Old Trafford this summer.
