Prem clubs on alert as €100m pair set for Sporting exit

Goncalo Inacio and Ousmane Diomande are two of the most in-demand centre backs ahead of the summer transfer window.

The Sporting CP pair have been rock solid for Ruben Amorim’s side this season as they close in on the Liga Portugal title.

Several European clubs have been linked with the star duo and the latest reports from Portugal indicate that the Lions are prepared to cash in on BOTH this summer for a total estimated at €100 million.

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Inacio has long been subject of transfer interest from the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, Newcastle and Real Madrid.

Sporting resigned to losing Inacio

The 22-year-old recently signed a new Sporting contract, extending his terms until 2027 and, as part of the deal, his buyout clause rose from €45 million to €60m.

A Bola reports that the buyout total could well be reached through a deal which includes variables and that Madrid had explored the possibility of signing the five-cap Portugal international on a €45m + €15m basis this summer.

Last summer Manuel Ugarte left Lisbon for Paris Saint-Germain on a deal worth €60m, which allowed Sporting to reinvest in the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Morten Hjulmand and Ivan Fresneda.

It is expected that something similar will happen this summer when the inevitable happens and Inacio leaves his boyhood club.

Interest in Diomande intensifies

Meanwhile, there is expected to be another bidding war for Inacio’s centre back partner Diomande.

A Bola states that Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle, Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Juventus are all interested in signing the Ivory Coast international.

His release clause is €80m and the 20-year-old won’t be allowed to leave for much less than that.

Diomande has been outstanding for Sporting since his move from Midtjylland in January 2023.

He spent the first part of that season on loan with second-tier Mafra, with the scale of his performances persuading Sporting to cut in with a bid.

The initial fee was only €7.5 million, possibly rising to €12.5m, meaning Sporting will be guaranteed a hefty profit when he is sold although the Danes will be owed a 20 percent sell-on fee.

The Ivorian is under contract until 2027 but recent reports suggest Sporting intend to extend it and, in the process, give the Africa Cup of Nations champion a hefty pay bump.

He has most recently been mentioned as a Juventus target, with Manchester United chasing the Bianconeri's Bremer.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are also leading the race for Sporting's goalscoring ace, Viktor Gyokeres, having scouted the player closely last weekend.