In preparation for a potential summer transfer swoop, Manchester United reportedly sent scouts to Portugal on Friday night to observe Goncalo Inacio, a target for Liverpool, in action for Sporting. The 21-year-old center back is swiftly gaining a large following after excelling for Ruben Amorim's elite team in both the Primeira Liga and Europe.
Sporting defeated Tottenham by four points in the Champions League, although they were still eliminated in the group stages.
They then defied the odds to knock Arsenal out of the Europa League on penalties, and as each week passes, Inacio's value is starting to soar.
According to the Portuguese publication O Jogo, United sent scouts to watch the defender during Sporting's 2-1 victory at Vizela on Friday.
Despite falling behind in the sixth minute, Sporting fought back thanks to goals from Inacio and Ivanildo Fernandes, who sealed the victory in the 85th minute.
Inacio's Sporting contract is said to include a release clause with a value of somewhere around £38 million.
The Portugal international, who might end up being one of Europe's hottest commodities this summer, is reportedly being pursued by Liverpool as well.
As Erik ten Hag gets ready to bring in another central defender at the end of the season, it appears United are also in the running for his services.
Harry Maguire's future is in question after England manager Gareth Southgate acknowledged that it was difficult to select him while he isn't competing at the club level. Maguire may now depart this summer, necessitating the hiring of at least one center-back by United.
Without accounting for the fact that Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe have left the team despite not playing this season.
Kim Min-jae of Napoli, who might leave Italy after just one season with the Partenopei, is thought to be a target for United.
The South Korean international, who seamlessly replaced Kalidou Koulibaly, has played a crucial role in Napoli's Scudetto-winning season.
The fact that the Red Devils have now qualified for the Champions League will support their transfer goals. Ten Hag plans to spend more than £150 million adding numerous important personnel to his team. His stellar shortlist also includes Harry Kane, Mason Mount, and Declan Rice.
Regardless matter whether United is under takeover, player sales may be the key to their ability to spend.
Harry Maguire's future and exit
According to insider Dean Jones, Manchester United may loan Harry Maguire to make room for Kim Min-jae's arrival.
It is widely assumed that the Red Devils would try to improve their defense options during the summer transfer window.
The center defender is a priority for Man Utd, along with adding a new striker, according to journalist Florian Plettenberg on Twitter.
Kim Min Jae is a top target, and thanks to his release clause, he could be acquired for merely £42 million in July, claims Corriere dello Sport (via Goal).
On the most recent episode of the Chasing Green Arrows podcast, Jones addressed the rumor and suggested that the interest was real and that Maguire might be sent out on loan to make room for the new defender.
"I think there's more substance to this. I think there's definitely something in this. He's obviously got this clause that kicks in – I think it's only a 10-day window that it's live for at the start of July – where it's available for 50 million," Dean Jones explained.
“I mean, they would be stupid if they weren't looking at an opportunity like that to be quite frank. And if the player's keen to get to the Premier League, they've got as good a chance as anybody."
"What an unbelievable opportunity to upgrade that defence."
He continued: "Still got to move on Harry Maguire, they've got to figure out a situation around that because you can't have all of these defenders on the payroll."
"There might even be the case, I think, that Harry Maguire ends up going on loan for next season. It wouldn't surprise me if they had to do that, just to shift him on and open up some space in the squad."
The possibility of Maguire being released this summer looks quite real. With only seven league starts this season, he hasn't been used all that much under Erik ten Hag.
Although there has been discussion of a £50 million sale this summer, it's possible that teams won't be willing to spend that much for the English player given his exorbitant salaries of £190,000 per week.
But if Maguire were to take out a loan, his prospective new team wouldn't have to worry about paying a transfer fee, making his salary more affordable.
Therefore, this might be the simplest option for United to get rid of a player they don't want, freeing up a spot in the team for a new player like Kim.
Premier League rivals interested in Harry Maguire
According to reports, West Ham is about to rekindle their interest in Harry Maguire, the captain of Manchester United.
The defender has only started seven Premier League games after falling out of favor during the campaign. Luke Shaw is now preferred, along with Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, and others.
The 30-year-old is widely expected to quit Old Trafford this summer as a result. According to The Manchester Evening News, Erik ten Hag will make several players available for purchase this summer, including Harry Maguire.
According to ESPN, West Ham is one among the teams considering a move for the England star. The London club allegedly approached United about Maguire in January and is anticipated to reapply for him this summer.
Newcastle is reportedly keeping an eye on Scott McTominay, despite the fact that the Magpies disagree with United's £40 million valuation of the Scot. It's expected that United will let more players go this transfer window in order to pay for new additions
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