Newcastle United transfer rumours: Magpies 'eye' Portuguese stalwart amid centre-back hunt

A round-up of the latest Newcastle United transfer rumours on Friday, 15 April.

Newcastle United are keeping a close eye on Sporting Lisbon's Goncalo Inacio, according to A Bola (via Sport Witness). The Magpies have reportedly sent a scouting party to watch the centre-back in Sporting's 3-1 win at the weekend.

The 20-year-old has already been dubbed 'the Portuguese boss' in the media and scored his fifth goal of the season against Tondela. The young defender has a €45m (£37.4m) release clause and the report claims Newcastle had a €30m (£24.9m) bid rejected by Sporting in the January transfer window.

The report adds that the Magpies are ‘really interested’ in Inacio, as Premier League sides are usually in Lisbon or Porto to watch talent, but rarely do they travel to watch the Sporting at lesser sides in the division. It's no secret that Newcastle are in the market for defensive additions after a poor start to this season's campaign.

Newcastle United still have Sevilla star Diego Carlos on their summer shortlist but the Magpies will not get in a bidding war for his services. Although, he could be a viable option with suggestions in Italy growing stronger that another January target Sven Botman of Lille will soon be an AC Milan player.

For all that Newcastle have not given up on Botman with Amanda Staveley even namechecking the Dutch centre-back recently, and as far as United are concerned nothing has been rubber-stamped for the 22-year-old meaning they are still around the table for his services. The Magpies are also in a position to make Botman a superb offer.

Talk of an increased transfer release clause of £67million for Carlos has emerged from the La Liga circuit since Newcastle made multiple bids before leaving the