Sporting CP aim to protect 24-year-old defender from Barcelona with new long-term contract | OneFootball

The departure of Inigo Martinez from FC Barcelona in the last summer transfer window has left the Blaugrana team without one of their most important defenders, who was not only one of the main leaders of the backline, but also the only left-footed center-back in the squad.

Following his departure, Hansi Flick has not been able to find another center-back pairing on which he can rely week in week out. Pau Cubarsi remains a starter, but players like Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, and Eric Garcia have all played as his partners since the start of the season.

The young Catalan defender has also found it difficult to perform at his best when deployed on the left side, further highlighting the imbalance in defence.

In this context, Barcelona’s sporting department is actively exploring the transfer market for a left-footed centre-back who fits the team’s tactical needs and can be signed for a reasonable price.

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One of the main names on the club’s radar is Portuguese defender Goncalo Inacio. At 24 years old, Inacio has established himself as one of the most promising defenders in Portugal and a regular member of the Portuguese national team.

His current contract with Sporting CP runs until 2027, and Barcelona are considering a move before he enters the final year of his deal. The player’s release clause stands at €60 million, although the Catalans hope to negotiate a lower fee.

Sporting CP, however, are keen to protect their prized asset. As reported by A Bola (Via SPORT), the club intends to offer Inacio a new deal that would extend his stay until 2030 and increase his release clause to €80 million.

The Lisbon side, much like their domestic rivals Benfica and Porto, has a reputation for selling players for significant sums. Yet in recent seasons, Sporting CP have aimed to maintain a strong core of talent to compete both domestically and in Europe.

The recent renewals of Pedro Goncalves, Francisco Trincao, and Ousmane Diomande are part of this approach, and Inacio is seen as the next key player to secure.

With several top European clubs closely following his situation, Goncalo Inacio’s future remains uncertain. The next move is now up to him, as he must decide whether to continue his development in Portugal or take the next step with one of Europe’s elite teams.