Barcelona interest in 24-year-old defender ‘has grown’ in recent months

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick was clearly disappointed to lose Inigo Martinez this summer, after arguably their best defender decided to accept a move to Saudi Arabia. The Al-Nassr defender did free up space in their salary limit, but the Basque was the leader of Flick’s defence.

The Catalan giants did not move to replace Martinez, with Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Eric Garcia, Jules Kounde and Pau Cubarsi all options in the position. Yet two of those players are also Flick’s main options at right-back, and Christensen is out of contract next summer.

It has been revealed that Director of Football Deco is working on two positions as priorities for Barcelona’s recruitment for next summer. One of those is central defence, and The Athletic have revealed that Goncalo Inacio is one of the names on their shortlist. However in recent moths, their interest in Inacio has grown.

The exit of Martinez leaves Flick without a left-footed option in his central defence, a factor he seems to feel is important, and Inacio is just that: a left-footed central defender. The 24-year-old has 17 caps and two goals for Portugal so far.

Inacio has a contract until 2027, meaning Barcelona could potentially manage a cheaper deal for him. Nevertheless, it was reported by A Bola that Sporting have opened talks with Inacio over a new deal. They will be reluctant to lose him for less than his market value. Their new offer would extend Inacio’s contract until 2030, and see his release clause rise from €60m to €80m.

Previously linked to Liverpool and Real Madrid, Inacio has been on the radar of Europe’s top clubs for some time. Becoming a regular for Sporting as a teenager, he has now had nearly five years of experience in top-level football.