Man Utd shortlist long-time Liverpool target - Romano

Updated: 9 Oct 2023 19:59 BST
4 min read

Erik ten Hag, Man Utd, Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool — © ProShots

Manchester United have shortlisted Goncalo Inacio in their search for a new centre-back, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed.

The Red Devils are in need of a central defender. Raphael Varane's body appears to be giving up on him, Lisandro Martinez is currently injured as well and former captain Harry Maguire has struggled to come to grips with Erik ten Hag's playstyle.

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Indeed, a lot hinges on the latter, Maguire, whom Ten Hag already tried to offload in the summer to raise funds for a centre-back more suited to his game. The 30-year-old never did depart, however, and he remains at the club - and could do so until at least the summer if a recent report is to be believed.

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Nevertheless, Ten Hag and his recruiting department continue to scour the centre-back market and they have now added a new name to their shortlist, according to Fabrizio Romano.

What did Romano say?

Speaking on his YouTube channel, the Italian revealed: "Man Utd want to sign an important centre-back in 2024. I mentioned to you some names, [Jean-Clair] Todibo for sure, Goncalo Inacio is the new name that I will add for today, but also [Edmond] Tapsoba and I told you Antonio Silva from Benfica - super appreciated."

"But Man Utd added one more name to their list. They are sending their scouts to Portugal not just for Antonio Silva but also for Goncalo Inacio. So, what Man Utd are doing is to keep an eye on some defenders they really appreciate in the scouting department."

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"Then there will be a time in the next months to decide with Erik ten Hag and with people in the club who is the right player for them, how much they want to spend, what kind of player they want - these are very different players."

"He [Inacio] has been on the list at Newcastle, also at Liverpool for a long time in the recent years but still staying at Sporting, and we know that Sporting extended his contract in the summer, but Man Utd are going to keep an eye on Gonaclo Inacio."