Erik ten Hag hands Man Utd four-man transfer shortlist with help from Bruno Fernandes agent
Manchester United have added Sporting CP defender Goncalo Inacio to their transfer shortlist as they look to bolster their backline for next summer.
The Portuguese defender had previously been earmarked as a potential replacement for Harry Maguire for this year, but the former United captain remained at Old Trafford after his transfer to West Ham broke down despite the club’s agreeing a £30million deal.
However, United boss Erik ten Hag remains determined to strengthen the position next summer after a dearth of player exits this summer including Phil Jones, Axel Tuanzebe, Eric Bailly and Teden Mengi, with fitness problems for Raphael Varane and prolonged injury absences for Lisandro Martinez.
The club have drawn up a four-player shortlist for the position including Nice central defender Jean-Clair Todibo – who was of interest to United last summer in the case of Maguire’s exit – alongside Antonio Silva of Benfica and Bayer Leverkusen central defender Edmond Tapsoba.
Inacio is represented by Miguel Pinho, the agent who also represents Bruno Fernandes and negotiated the deal that took the playmaker to Old Trafford in January 2020 and may now also be able to facilitate another move between the clubs. The Red Devils are likely to face competition from Newcastle and Liverpool for the player.
Inacio, 22, has clocked up 129 first-team appearances for the Lisbon giants and is highly regarded at the club. Sporting have a proud tradition of producing young talents before selling off at significant prices: including Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Nani to United in previous years.
The fitness issues and injury setbacks to Varane and Martinez, alongside doubts over Maguire’s long-term future at United, have prompted the club to step-up their
Read on m.allfootballapp.com
