Man Utd 'on verge' of moving for £37m defender and Bruno Fernandes could help (2025)

Bruno Fernandes could help Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim land his next signing (Image: Getty)

Manchester United are reportedly closing in on a £37million deal for Sporting defender Goncalo Inacio, with captain Bruno Fernandes potentially playing a key role in the deal. According to reports in Portugal, the Red Devils are preparing a swoop for the towering centre-back as Ruben Amorim looks to bolster his defensive options, with doubts over the futures of Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire.

United have been named as a potential destination for the 23-year-old, and could face competition from Borussia Dortmund for his signature. A Bola report that the Portuguese giants are ready to demand a £37m fee (€45m) for Inacio, who is considered an important player at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, and United have been 'on the verge' of a deal for some time. The Premier League big-spenders splashed out over £100m on Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro last summer, but it appears Amorim is keen to fork out again to further strengthen the backline.

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Inacio rose through the ranks under Amorim during his spell in charge of the Primeira Liga outfit and already has over 200 appearances to his name at the club.

He has also won 14 caps playing for Portugal after making his debut in 2023 and is expected to feature at the World Cup next year. The fact he is Fernandes' international team-mate could bring the playmaker into the equation in convincing him to move to Old Trafford.

Goncalo Inacio could be persuaded to leave Sporting for Man Utd (Image: Getty)

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The 30-year-old can also draw on his experience, having made the same switch from Lisbon to Manchester in January 2020.

Inacio and Fernandes are also represented by the same agent, Miguel Pinho, giving United a clear advantage over their rivals after recently renewing the midfielder's contract - suggesting relations are positive between the two parties.

Bruno Fernandes and Goncalo Inacio share the same agent (Image: Getty)

Sporting are set to have a clearout despite already selling Geovany Quenda and Dario Essugo to Chelsea in a £60m double deal. The report from the Portuguese outlet claims 'more will leave Alvalade' as they aim to break their transfer record for sales in the summer transfer window.

Along with Viktor Gyokeres, at least one of Inacio and Ousmane Diomande - Sporting's current centre-back pairing - will leave in the coming months.