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.
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.
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
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