England's post-Kane era finally looks far more rosy

Santos, Doak & eight best Premier League loanees of the season

How it feels to beat Lionel Messi

Saudi Arabia or MLS beckons for Pogba after Juve release

Why Man Utd & Liverpool both want Argentine teen Soler

'Please leave him alone!' - Deschamps sends out Mbappe plea

Mendes responds to Ronaldo criticism of Portugal players

Ronaldo stunner the cherry on top for five-star Portugal 

Where's Leo?! Messi invisible as Argentina upset by Paraguay

Amorim told he's already made his first mistake at Man Utd

How to watch Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson from anywhere

Vini's nightmare goes on as Brazil drop more WCQ points

Twellman reportedly investigated for physical altercation

Manchester City

Manchester United

Liverpool

Arsenal

Chelsea

Other

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Arsenal want €60m-rated defender</li><li>Lacking depth at centre-half</li><li>Keen to avoid collapse akin to last season</li></ul>

Arsenal want a new defender! Gunners join pursuit of €60m-rated Sporting CP star Goncalo Inacio ahead of January transfer window

Taca de Portugal

Sporting CP

Amarante FC

Premier League

Nottingham Forest

<a href="https://www.abola.pt/futebol/noticias/sporting-ha-um-titular-que-pode-mesmo-sair-em-janeiro-2023121521475970051" target="_blank">According to A Bola</a>, 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.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Perhaps wary of a repeat of <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/william-saliba-injury-arsenal-contract-talks-tougher/bltc00ceee417d1848f" target="_blank">last season’s collapse following an injury to William Saliba,</a> 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 <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/arsenal-next-centre-back-target-reignite-bid-sporting-ousmane-diomande-failed-summer-move/blte62dea74c7bc0e29" target="_blank">linked with Inacio’s team-mate and fellow defender, Ousmane Diomande,</a> as they look to raid the Portuguese capital.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Inacio has actually played and scored against the Gunners. The defender nodded in Sporting's first goal in the sides' <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/arsenal-vs-sporting-cp-lineups-and-live-updates/blt73c8dc7eb982e9bf" target="_blank">2-2 draw in the first leg of the last season's Europa League round of 16</a>. Sporting would go on to knock Arsenal out on penalties.

DID YOU KNOW?

Given <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/arsenal-pay-gbp80m-ivan-toney-sell-players-ffp/blt0dec5868f4bedc43" target="_blank">Arsenal's struggles with Financial Fair Play</a>, 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.

WHAT NEXT FOR INACIO AND ARSENAL?

Arsenal want a new defender! Gunners join pursuit of €60m-rated Sporting CP star Goncalo Inacio ahead of January transfer window | Goal.com

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