“He has everything Lisandro Martinez have and he is not an injury prone”-Manchester United told £52m is a ‘bargain’ for defender who is ‘better’ than Martinez.

Goncalo Inacio would be a £52 million ‘bargain’ for Manchester United with one Portuguese pundit rating the Sporting Lisbon defender higher than Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof.Should the Red Devils opt for Goncalo Inacio above a host of other potential centre-back targets – Marc Guehi, Antonio Silva and Giorgio Scalvini among those also linked – Manchester United will find themselves signing a player who already has quite the connection with one member of Erik ten Hag’s current squad.

Bruno Fernandes set up both of Inacio’s first two Portugal goals in the 9-0 hammering of Luxembourg in September. A fortnight ago, the former returned the favour, a pinpoint. A raking diagonal playing in Man United’s number eight for a fine finish against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Manchester United eye Goncalo InacioIt is that eye-catching passing range, combined with his defensive awareness and his presence in both boxes, which has Inacio in such high demand, Fabrizio Romano reporting that the latest player to graduate from Sporting Lisbon’s feted academy has earned himself a place on Man United’s shopping list.

And, even at a reported £52 million, Jose Sousa is convinced that a defender of Inacio’s talent and potential would be worth every penny. “Goncalo Inacio is a very important player in the Sporting team,” the former Porto, Braga and Olympiakos man tells Sport TV.“Inacio has been scoring goals. That’s why the player’s name has been talked about by several European clubs.

“Aand why 60 million euros is a bargain.”A £52 million ‘bargain’Sousa believes that Inacio is a step above the centre-halves Man United have spent big on in recent transfer windows. Martinez, Maguire, Varane and Lindelof all arriving for considerable fees.“Just remember what Manchester United spent on central defenders,” Sousa argues. “For me, Goncalo Inacio is better (than them).”Newcastle have also been linked. According to Radio Renascenca, however, Man United are unlikely to face competition from those on Tyneside. Newcastle remain reluctant to stump up anywhere near Inacio’s 60 million release clause.