Arsenal 'plot £51m transfer hijack' to blow Liverpool and Man Utd out the water
Arsenal are set to activate the £51m release clause of Sporting Lisbon defender Goncalo Inacio in a January swoop.
The Gunners are keen to add to their defensive options in the winter transfer window as they compete for the Premier League title for the second season in succession. William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes have been the club’s first-choice central defensive duo this term.
Jurrien Timber was signed in the summer but suffered a long-term injury on his debut, while Takehiro Tomiyasu is set to be restricted to the sidelines for an extended period. As a result, Mikel Arteta has turned to the transfer market and identified his ideal addition.
According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, the north London side will activate the €60million (£51.5m) release clause written into Inacio’s Sporting Lisbon deal. It is also suggested that his current club have already identified Famalicao centre-back Otavio as a potential successor - a boost to Arsenal ’s hopes of getting a deal over the line.
A move for Inacio would also see the Gunners hijack a move eyed by a couple of their Premier League rivals. Manchester United were linked with a swoop for the defender last month, with reports suggesting they were considering an offer.
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However, the Red Devils were not willing to pay the release clause and would have offered €45m (£39.3m) with a further €15m (£13.1m) in potential add-ons. United are not the only ones interested though.
Goncalo Inacio celebrates scoring for Portugal (Getty Images)Would Goncalo Inacio be a good signing for Arsenal? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Liverpool have been credited as one of Inacio’s admirers and have scouted him on a number of occasions. The Reds’ need for a new centre-back has grown over recent weeks following the serious injury suffered by Joel Matip.
Competition for Inacio’s signature also comes from abroad, with French champions Paris Saint-Germain also interested. The 22-year-old still has three-and-a-half years to serve on his contract with Sporting.
Since breaking into the side from the club’s academy, he has gone on to make 143 appearances in all competitions. His performances have helped Sporting to the 2020/21 Portuguese title, as well as two Portuguese League Cups.
Speaking after penning a new deal with the club earlier this year, he said: “It is an enormous source of pride to carry on with the Leao on my chest, as it has been for many years. I am very happy to stay here. I hope that there is even more to come.”
Inacio added: “The biggest dream come true has been making it to the first team and becoming a league champion, but now I have to keep the focus on hard work, as I always have, and get more trophies.”
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