Newcastle United and Man Utd ‘make contact’ with agent of defender with £38m release clause

Newcastle United and Manchester United have reportedly stepped up their interest in Sporting CP star Goncalo Inacio by making contact with the defender’s agent.

The classy centre-back is said to be on the radar of several high-profile clubs around Europe after rising through the ranks with club and country in recent years. Since making his debut in a 2-0 win at Portimonense during the first half of the 2020/21 season, Inacio has gone on to make over a century of appearances and has represented Sporting in the Europa League and Champions League.

His form has been rewarded with a maiden call-up to the Portugal senior squad and he earned his first cap with a 90-minute appearance in a 4-0 win against Liechtenstein in a Euro 2024 qualifier in March. His form has captured the attention of several clubs but it is Newcastle and fellow Champions League challengers Manchester United that are showing the most interest.

It is not the first time the two Premier League clubs have been linked with a move for the defender, who is believed to be open to a move to England as he looks to take the next step in his career. However, O Jogo have revealed Sporting are not willing to allow one of their prize assets to depart in a cut-price move and any interested parties will have to meet a clause in his current contract.

Inacio still have three years left on the deal he agreed last summer and that included a release clause believed to be worth around £38m. Any move for the highly-rated 21-year-old is further complicated by Sporting’s recent contract offer that would see the clause increase if Inacio puts pen-to-paper.

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