Man Utd step up January transfer for Portugal star with Lisandro Martinez injured and Harry Maguire left in the cold

MANCHESTER UNITED are gearing up for a January swoop for highly-rated Sporting Lisbon central defender Goncalo Inacio.

SunSport understands a United scout has been sent to Lisbon and told to closely monitor the Portuguese international over the next couple of months ahead of launching a bid in the January transfer window.

The scout has been ordered to watch the 22-year-old in person at least three times a month - he was at Sporting’s game at the weekend and will also take in this Thursday's Europa League clash with Atalanta.

He recently signed a new deal with Sporting but has a €60million (£52m) release clause which United are prepared to match.

With Lisandro Martinez out for at least the next three months for an operation on his damaged metatarsal, under-fire United boss Erik ten Hag desperately needs defensive reinforcements.

Raphael Varane’s fitness is touch and go while Harry Maguire has fallen way down the pecking order at Old Trafford.

Like the crocked Martinez, Inacio is a left-footed, ball-playing centre-half who would be the perfect replacement for the Argentina international.

Inacio, who shares the same agent as Red Devils ace Bruno Fernandes, would be keen on a move to the Premier League.

Sporting Lisbon, unlike Portuguese rivals Benfica and Porto, have an excellent relationship with United which dates all the way back to signing Cristiano Ronaldo in 2003 as an 18-year-old.

They don’t want to lose Inacio but are keen to cash in on at least one hot prospect per season which has given United chief Ten Hag extra encouragement.

CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS

Inacio has been with Sporting for over a decade after first joining the club's academy in 2012.

Since his debut in 2020, he has made 130 appearances, scoring 11 goals from defence.

MAN UTD NEWS LIVE: Stay up to date with all of the latest transfer and takeover news from Old Trafford