Portuguese newspaper O Jogo today reports an agreement between Sporting and Gonçalo Inácio for a new contract. The defender is now said to be ready to sign an extension which will give him a pay rise and run until 2026.
The player is getting this new deal because of his growth, and to speak of his potential, the report recalls that Newcastle United had been interested in signing him in January.
It’s said that in the last transfer window, the Magpies offered €30m for his transfer. The Lions, however, turned down the approach because they had injury issues in the squad and no alternatives in the market to replace him.
It’s said the Lisbon side ‘resisted the temptation’ at the time knowing that his potential would bring his value up. Now with him at the national team and a new contract in hand, it seems that will happen.
Inácio will continue to be protected by a release clause worth €45m, and it’s said Sporting set a minimum price for a summer exit of €40m.
Newcastle are once again mentioned in the last paragraph, with O Jogo again pointing out that their bid had been worth €30m, which is not exactly far from what will be his price in the summer window.
However, it’s still not clear if the Magpies would be back for the defender at the end of the season.
