Player is Newcastle’s ‘priority target’ to bolster defence – Magpies not afraid of release clause, need to move quickly

The Portuguese media are today back to mentioning Newcastle United’s interest in Sporting defender Gonçalo Inácio.

Newspaper Record writes that the Lions know there’s a ‘serious risk’ they can lose the centre-back to a Premier League club this summer.

It’s said Inácio is one of Newcastle’s ‘priority targets’ for the next transfer window, and not even his €60m release clause will make them give up on the signing.

The outlet recalls that the Magpies had already considered signing the player back in the January transfer window, but chose to ‘delay’ the transfer.

Their intention to get Inácio had already been communicated to Sporting back then, and that may be one of the reasons why they already signed another centre-back for their squad.

The Lions will be waiting for the summer offers, as they may also sell his defensive partner Ousmane Diomande, who was this week linked to Arsenal.

They may get tougher to make the second sale, and that’s why Newcastle should probably try to get Inácio before Diomande is gone.

Now it remains to be seen whether Sporting would negotiate the price.