Romano hands Manchester United boost in £52m race amid Real Madrid claims

Add as preferred source on Google

Manchester United have been handed a timely boost in their pursuit of a new centre-back with Fabrizio Romano rubbishing claims that Goncalo Inacio is bound for Real Madrid. 

As the very same reporter pointed out earlier in the week on Twitter, the chances of Manchester United bringing in defensive reinforcements in the January window do not depend solely on the promise of a big financial injection provided by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS.

They also rest on the fitness of Lisandro Martinez, the fan favourite, bone-rattling Argentine who has missed most of the current campaign through injury.

Martinez’s situation certainly seems bound to that of Goncalo Inacio, another ball-playing, left-footed centre-half. Manchester United are interested. Whether a bid arrives from Old Trafford in January or June, however, may be dictated by how well Martinez recovers from his latest setback.

Manchester United in Goncalo Inacio race

“Goncalo Inacio (has been) on the list of many clubs in England for a long time,” Romano explains, via his YouTube channel. “Including Newcastle, including Liverpool, but also Manchester United. (Erik ten Hag’s side) are exploring the conditions of this player.

“At the moment it’s just about scouting. There’s still nothing concrete. What’s real is the release clause. 60 million euros.”

Or £52 million, if you like.

Real Madrid have reportedly entered the race for Sporting’s elegant Portugal international. Though, as Romano is keen to point out, suggestions that Inacio already has a deal in place at the Santiago Bernebeu are wide of the mark.

Fabrizio Romano rubbishes Real Madrid rumours

“From what I’m told, Real Madrid have not agreed anything with Sporting for Goncalo Inacio,” Romano adds. “There is no agreement. There is not even a concrete negotiation at this stage.”

“Nothing is done, and nothing is guaranteed for the January window. At the moment, the situation is still quiet. It’s just about normal scouting for a very talented player.”

Inacio is far from United’s only centre-back target. The Red Devils also like Benfica’s Antonio Silva, Atalanta’s Giorgio Scalvini and Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, among others. One former Primeira Liga ace, meanwhile, believes Inacio would represent excellent value for money at £52 million, rating the 22-year-old higher than Martinez himself.