Barcelona’s defensive problems have deepened since the departure of Inigo Martinez whose composure and left foot once balanced their backline.
The Catalan side has struggled to find stability this season with Pau Cubarsi unable to replicate his best form when shifted to the left of defense.
Hansi Flick’s frequent changes have highlighted how much the team misses a natural left-footed center-back capable of dictating play from deep.
The Catalan directors have turned their attention toward Sporting Portugal’s Goncalo Inacio, one of Europe’s most consistent and technically polished young defenders.
The 24-year-old has already become a mainstay for Portugal’s national team and a product of Sporting’s academy known for his calm distribution and positional awareness.
Inacio’s contract will run until 2027 with a €60m [$70m] release clause yet Barcelona are aware that the price could be negotiated as he approaches the final stages of his current deal, according to the Sport.
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Sporting, however, are moving to shield their prized asset by extending his contract until 2030 and raising his clause to €80m [$93m].
The Lisbon club has long followed a business model that relies on profitable departures but is now focused on maintaining a core capable of competing in Europe.
Barcelona see Inacio as the ideal replacement for Martinez with Inacio completing 89.5 percent of his passes and ranked in the 99percentile for progressive passes among center-backs.
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