Newcastle can sign a "better player than Ruben Dias" as PIF plot bid for £38m colossus - opinion

Recent reports have seen Newcastle United linked with a move for Sporting Lisbon defender Goncalo Inacio, with the 20-year-old potentially set to be available for £38m owing to a release clause in his existing contract.

The Magpies are believed to have seen a €30m (£25.3m) bid for the Portuguese starlet rebuffed by the Primeira Liga club in January, although they are seemingly set to re-enter the market for the youngster in the upcoming transfer window.

The £16.2m-rated gem – who has also been linked with a move to Manchester United – only made his senior debut in October 2020, although he featured heavily for the remainder of that campaign as Ruben Amorim’s side claimed the league title.

He has kicked on again this term, making 45 appearances in all competitions, including seven outings during the club’s run to the Champions League round of 16, and it is no surprise that transfer interest is starting to flood in.

A highly-rated young prospect, the 6 foot 1 centre-back has received particularly glowing reports from playmakerstats.com‘s Portuguese expert Daniel Oliveira, who has compared him favourably to current Manchester City captain Ruben Dias.

Asked about the Portuguese duo, Oliveira stated: “It’s always difficult to compare players. One obvious difference is that Dias joined Manchester City when he was 23, so he was further along in his development than Inacio, who is still only 20. It is unlikely, therefore, that Inácio could have the same impact as Dias, who was crowned the Premier League’s best player at the end of his first season.

“Dias was always a natural leader and Inácio’s communication may be one area in which he can improve. Physically-speaking, I believe the young Sporting defender would be able to