Sporting aim to block key player's exit, backup plan already in place | OneFootball

Sporting's priority is to renew Gonçalo Inácio's contract before the 2026 World Cup. Similar to what they intend to do with Pedro Gonçalves, Ousmane Diomande, and Francisco Trincão, the club has set deadlines regarding the Portuguese international as well.

According to information revealed by the newspaper O Jogo, the green and whites want to be "secure" in future negotiations, as for now, the defender's contract ends in 2027 and he has a significant market in the main European leagues. Furthermore, Sporting knows that the participation of the 'number 25' in the next World Cup could also accelerate a possible departure.

Although Inácio indicates that he is happy at the Alvalade Club, the truth is that the player would like to move to another league, such as the Premier League. Therefore, the club's officials do not intend to make it easy for potential suitors and, thus, an increase in the release clause is planned - which is currently 60M - with the contract extending until 2030.

With Jeremiah St. Juste's demotion to Sporting's B team, the club would only have Ousmane Diomande, Zeno Debast, and Eduardo Quaresma as core central defenders in the main squad, should Gonçalo Inácio's departure be confirmed. For now, the first contacts to renew have been initiated, and soon, the player's agent is expected to speak with the green and white structure.

At the start of the 2025/26 season, Gonçalo Inácio - valued at 45 million euros - is one of the ever-presents in Sporting's team. The central defender has accumulated 720 minutes in eight games, in which he has already managed to make two assists for goals.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.