Arsenal to trump Liverpool for €60m star

Tom Weber

• 16 Dec 2023 17:11 GMT
• 3 min read

Arsenal are readying an offer for Goncalo Inacio, according to Portuguese media.

The Gunners experienced first-hand how good the Sporting CP defender can be as he was part of the side that dumped them out of the Europa League last season. Inacio's performances in his native Portugal have been attracting high-profile attention for some time and Arsenal are the latest side to be credited with an interest, following in the footsteps of long-term admirers Liverpool.

It is more than merely an interest, however, as the Gunners are said to be keen to steal a march on their Premier League rivals and make a move for Inacio, according to Portuguese outlet A Bola. The 22-year-old is actually one of Sporting's more affordable stars, with his release clause standing at 'just' €60 million.

Compared to fellow Arsenal targets Viktor Gyokeres and Ousmane Diomande, who boast a €100m and €80m release clause, respectively, Inacio could be something of a bargain.

Will Inacio move in 2024?

It appears to be only a matter of time before the highly-rated Inacio makes the move to a bigger side. The 22-year-old was already heavily linked with Liverpool in January 2023 and was again being eyed in the summer.

A January departure, at this stage, appears unlikely and Sporting, naturally, have no intention to sell mid-season given that they are in the midst of a title challenge, but it may be out of their hands if someone triggers Inacio's release clause; at that point, it will be up to the player.

By signing Inacio, Arsenal would potentially set themselves up nicely for the next decade in terms of their centre-back partnership, with William Saliba himself being only 22. What would happen to Gabriel Magalhaes remains to be seen, but the Brazilian was linked with a Saudi move in the summer, and that interest could be revived again in 2024.