Manchester City have been told to land Sporting Lisbon defender Goncalo Inacio, in a move which would deprive Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool of the 22-year-old.
With three caps for Portugal’s national team already under his belt, Inacio is a promising young center-back. Despite his position, Inacio has a strong scoring record for his nation, netting twice in his last three international outings.
This year, Inacio has been frequently mentioned in relation to a transfer to Liverpool. In fact, a report from August 14 stated that Liverpool was ‘anticipated’ to make a move for him before the summer transfer deadline.
The Sporting academy graduate is still on Liverpool’s short list even though the deal ultimately fell through. To replace Virgil van Dijk and partner with Ibrahima Konate, Klopp will soon require a left-sided central defender, and because Inacio is left-footed, he is the ideal candidate.
The talent is not only admired by Liverpool; Manchester United and City are also keeping tabs on his development.
Additionally, Portuguese analysts Daniel Carrico and Jose Boto have urged City to outbid Liverpool and Manchester United for Inacio.
The head of Barcelona says they’ll aim to attack Man City in 2024 and specifies the transfer requirements.
Carrico, a former Sevilla player, mentioned City great Ruben Dias when he mentioned that Inacio might join the Premier League for a hefty cost, possibly as high as €60 million (£51.5 million).
“At City, Ruben Dias was the victim of it. Who knows whether Inacio, a transfer for very significant sums, won’t experience the same scenario. He is even more useful because he is a left-footed center-half who is quick and good in the air, according to Carrico, who spoke with the Portuguese publication O Jogo.
‘Ready to quit’ present club, Man City and Liverpool target
Then, Boto, the sporting director for Shakhtar Donetsk and a former Benfica scout, offered his opinion.
“Inacio is a very good builder, very quick at reading the game,” he continued. He is a knowledgeable player. He performs well and is prepared to go. He requires a particular group of people that enjoy starting from the rear.
‘Take Manchester City, for instance. He’d be a wonderful partner for Ruben Dias, in my opinion. He is at ease with the ball. Since he has such unique qualities, I’m not sure if many teams will be able to take him. He’s in a decent position, in my opinion, to take the risk.
Only if a current defender departed would there be room for Inacio in Pep Guardiola’s team, as City signed fellow left-footed defender Josko Gvardiol in the summer. Nathan Ake would be the ideal choice, but given Guardiola’s confidence in him, it’s not obvious when he’ll be fired.
Technically speaking, Inacio and Gvardiol may team up, with the former manning the left-sided center-half position and the latter playing left-back.
Of course, Liverpool would be furious if City were to complete this signing. Liverpool would have to start looking for a fresh signing at the position while City would have yet another elite defender in their ranks.
Barcelona has started talking while attempting to sign a top La Liga attacker before the deadline According a report, Man Utd and Liverpool.
