Last month, Record reported Sporting asked Newcastle United to delay a potential deal for Gonçalo Inácio until the summer after the Magpies got in contact about the defender in January.
The 22-year-old Portugal international has starred for the Lions and his fine displays have caught the attention of several European clubs.
Newcastle are included in this list as today’s A Bola claims they are still keen on signing the centre-back.
Inácio has been a regular for Rúben Amorim since the start of the 2021/22 season, which helped him make debut for the national team. He’s set to be part of Roberto Martínez’s squad for the Euros, after which the player could change clubs.
The central defender has a €60m clause in a deal that lasts until 2027. The Primeira Liga side expect him and Ousmane Diomande to leave and they want collect €100m from their sales.
For Inácio, A Bola say other sources have suggested Sporting may accept €40m plus €20m bonuses, as along as they are realistic to achieve. Although that sounds a little low.
Diomande is also closely followed by several clubs including Eddie Howe’s side and has an €80m clause.
It’s claimed the 20-year-old Ivory Coast international’s asking price cannot fall way below his release clause.
Faced with the possibility of losing Inácio and Diomande, Sporting have started searching the market for their replacements and this could please Newcastle in their pursuit of the duo.
Despite all of that, whether either would want to join Newcastle if they don’t have Champions League, or even Europa League, football is unknown.