Arsenal are reportedly chasing the signature of Goncalo Inacio to bolster their defence in their three-way title race with Liverpool and Man City.
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- Arsenal want €60m-rated defender
- Lacking depth at centre-half
- Keen to avoid collapse akin to last season
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WHAT 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.
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THE 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.
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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.
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WHAT 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.