As Portuguese newspapers today write about the future of Sporting centre-backs, we get to see many mentions to Newcastle United.
Outlets O Jogo and Record coincidentally have stories about Gonçalo Inácio and Ousamane Diomande, claiming they both have been attracting interested clubs with their great form.
Starting with the Portuguese player, it’s said there’s quite a big competition for him, as besides Newcastle, the likes of Real Madrid, Paris Saint Germain, Liverpool and Manchester United have all been watching him.
Sporting are not expected to negotiate his sale. That means those clubs will need to trigger his release clause, which in the last contract negotiations, got raised to €60m.
Diomande, meanwhile, doesn’t attract the interest from as many clubs. As previously revealed this week, the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City had been keen on him in the past, but it’s really Newcastle who have been sending scouts to watch him in action.
Now even though the competition isn’t that fierce, the problem is that his price is even higher, as he has a €80m release clause, and Sporting want him protected at least until the end of the season.
Therefore, if Newcastle want both, they would have to pay €140m for their services, so it’s more likely it will be one or the other.
