Manchester United prepared to make £50m release clause offer for defender with ‘structured payments’

Manchester United are reportedly preparing to offer Sporting Lisbon the release clause amount for defender Gonçalo Inácio.

Inácio, 22, has been heavily linked to United in recent days and it was claimed earlier this week that Sporting have ‘authorised’ the defender’s agent to speak to interested clubs.

Fabrizio Romano also claimed that Inácio is a player that United appreciate, and they have sent scouts to watch the Portuguese defender in recent months.

According to a new report by Portuguese newspaper A Bola, as per MEN, the Reds are now preparing a proposal to sign Inácio.

It is now claimed that United will meet the £51 million release clause in the defender’s contract.

The report concluded that United would negotiate with the Portuguese outfit to structure the payment in instalments over time.

United are looking to strengthen their central defensive options this summer after Raphael Varane departed the club, with the potential of signing two centre-backs.

Inácio made 49 appearances for Sporting last season and has already received seven caps from his country.

United are reportedly looking to sign two centre-backs in the summer transfer window, with Jarrad Branthwaite and Jean-Clair Todibo among those linked.

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