Cameron Smith
Liam Rosenior, Chelsea
© IMAGO
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has reportedly requested the signing of Sporting CP central defender Goncalo Inacio during the upcoming summer transfer window.
The 24-year-old has been linked with a Premier League switch for several seasons and he could be set to finally secure an English top flight move this summer amid rumoured interest from Chelsea.
Inacio signed a new five-year contract at Sporting in December, but Rosenior is eager for the Chelsea hierarchy to tempt him away from Lisbon with the offer of joining the Blues this summer.
That is according to a report from Spanish publication Fichajes" href="https://www.fichajes.net/noticias/rosenior-pide-fichaje-directiva-chelsea-20260415.html" target="_blank">Fichajes, who claim that Rosenior wants to bring Inacio to Stamford Bridge ahead of the 2026-27 season as he looks to bolster the centre-back options at his disposal.
Chelsea already have a plethora of central defenders on their books, however Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi (currently on loan at West Ham United) and Tosin Adarabioyo have all been tipped to leave on permanent deals, and the club are keen to sign an upgrade this summer.
Inacio has made 40 appearances for boyhood club Sporting so far this season, scoring two goals, and it’s reported that his new deal with the Portuguese giants includes a release clause worth €60 million.
The Portugal international would provide competition for fellow left-footed central defender Levi Colwill at Stamford Bridge, and it’s claimed that negotiations over a possible summer deal are expected to intensify over the coming weeks.
Goncalo Inacio, Sporting CP
© IMAGO - Goncalo Inacio, Sporting CP
Confirmed: Liam Rosenior clarifies Chelsea’s summer transfer plan
Chelsea have prioritised signing talented youngsters since the arrival of BlueCo as their new owners in 2022, although Rosenior has hinted that a change of strategy is set to occur this summer.
Speaking to reporters in early April, Rosenior admitted: “I think in recruitment, for me, the first thing I look at is character, is emotional stability, is calm. That's something we've spoken about. That's not a reflection on this group now. It's how we improve the group moving forward.”
Following the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, the Blues head coach added: “We've had lots of detailed conversations about what we need to look like moving forward from the summer window.
“You talk about all different aspects of the game - physicality, technicality, positional things. They're all things that we're in talks in and we know what we want to improve and we know where we want to improve in the summer.”
Inacio has over 250 senior appearances under his belt and despite not playing in an elite league, he would provide Chelsea with much-needed European experience.
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