As Real Madrid and Liverpool battle it out for players, Man Utd is “ready to activate” their release clause.

Goncalo Inacio, a highly-rated center-back for Sporting, is available for Manchester United to compete with Liverpool and Real Madrid in the New Year.

Prior to the winter transfer season, Manchester United and other top European teams are still after Sporting defender Goncalo Inacio.

After rising through the Sporting academy, the highly-regarded 22-year-old has become an important member of the team. This season, he has also made a major impact on Portugal, playing alongside Ruben Dias in central defence.

Foreign observers have taken note of Inacio’s commanding play, especially in the Premier League. Liverpool reportedly deployed scouts to watch the young player, according to reports from last month, but the Reds’ fierce rivals also think highly of the Sporting prospect.

United is prepared to move forward with their interest in the defender, who has a €60 million (£52.5 million) release clause, according to a recent report from CM Sport. According to rumours, Inacio would receive an initial offer of €45 million (£39.3 million), with further €15 million (£13.1 million) coming from add-ons and conditions that would make up any possible transaction.

It won’t be easy to prise Inacio away from Portugal, though, as other teams are keeping an eye on the defender’s development besides Liverpool. Inacio is being watched by La Liga powerhouse Real Madrid, who intends to lure him to the Bernabeu, and other teams are probably aware of his skills as well.

Interestingly, Miguel Pinho, who also represents Bruno Fernandes, is Inacio’s agent. Pinho arranged the £47 million transfer that moved the United captain to Old Trafford in January 2020. Should United increase their interest in Inacio when the transfer window reopens in January, he would be in charge of arranging any transaction.

Homegrown talent has always been profitablely sold by Sporting; one such example is Cristiano Ronaldo, who signed a contract with Manchester United in the summer of 2003. Over 130 appearances have already been made by Inaco for the Portuguese Primeira Liga team.

In an effort to strengthen his defence, Erik ten Hag first put Inacio on a shortlist of four players that also included Sporting star Jean-Clair Todibo, Antonio Silva, Edmond Tapsoba, and the goal of signing one of the four players the following summer.

United might now, though, act quickly to pursue Inacio in the New Year. After a terrible start to the 2023–24 season, the Red Devils have been playing with Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans in the middle of defence.

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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp ‘broke’ Premier League rule to fulfil promise to Harvey Elliott

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has reportedly ‘broken’ Premier League rules to keep his promise to midfielder Harvey Elliott.

Klopp’s managerial skills are one of his best qualities as a manager, with many players saying they enjoy playing under him.
In an interview with Sky Sports in 2020, Manchester United legend Gary Neville revealed that, apart from Sir Alex Ferguson, the manager he would most like to play under in his career is the German.

Klopp has turned Liverpool into perennial title contenders since arriving at Anfield in 2015.
Last season was a remarkable one.
He led Manchester United to the Premier League title in 2020, a year after beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 to win his sixth Champions League title.

Klopp used a consistent line-up in 2019/20, with six players playing more than 35 of the 38 games.
Roberto Firmino, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold were always there.

This meant that although some of the younger members of the squad, including Curtis Jones and Neko Williams, made the five appearances required to win a Premier League medal, other players had limited opportunities.
However, Harvey Elliott played just two games this season and was ineligible for a medal.

But the midfielder said Klopp had “broken” Premier League rules and confirmed he will receive a medal to mark his incredible season.
In an interview with the Liverpool Echo, Elliott explained: “I’m not sure if it’s [Klopp’s] medal.
It could have been Klopp’s medal but I ended up winning it.

“After the parade and presentation, I went into the locker room and they gave it to me.
“I can’t put into words how I felt.
I felt really good and I could say to my mom and dad: [I have a medal! I have a medal!” I sent a photo.

“They were down too so we went and looked around and had a little party.
“I felt really good.”