Arsenal are reportedly chasing the signature of Goncalo Inacio to bolster their defence in their three-way title race with Liverpool and Man City.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Arsenal want €60m-rated defenderLacking depth at centre-halfKeen to avoid collapse akin to last seasonWHAT HAPPENED?

According to , Arsenal are monitoring the Portuguese international and Sporting CP star. The 22-year-old is indispensable to the Liga Portugal leaders and would command a significant transfer fee, given there is a €60 million (£52m/$65m) release clause in his contract. Inacio is left-footed and would offer strong competition to Arsenal’s left-sided centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Perhaps wary of a repeat of last season’s collapse following an injury to William Saliba, Arsenal are looking to add depth at centre-half in January. The Gunners are relatively short at the back, having lost summer-signing Jurrien Timber to an ACL injury in the opening game of the Premier League season. Mikel Arteta’s side have also been linked with Inacio’s team-mate and fellow defender, Ousmane Diomande, as they look to raid the Portuguese capital.

DID YOU KNOW?

Inacio has actually played and scored against the Gunners. The defender nodded in Sporting's first goal in the sides' 2-2 draw in the first leg of the last season's Europa League round of 16. Sporting would go on to knock Arsenal out on penalties.

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR INACIO AND ARSENAL?

Given Arsenal's struggles with Financial Fair Play, a transfer in January is unlikely to materialise unless the Gunners make a major sale. With both Sporting CP and Arsenal in the middle of title charges, neither side will want too much disruption mid-season.