As per SempreMilan, via Corriere dello Sport, Milan remain interested in Sporting centre-back Gonçalo Inácio and may push for him in January again.
The Rossoneri were keen on bringing in the Portuguese defender towards the end of the summer transfer window. Sporting had even agreed to a €40m move, but they weren’t able to find a replacement in time, so the move did not move forward.
However, Milan boss Ruben Amorim remains keen on reuniting with the 25-year-old, which makes it very likely that Milan will try to poach him in January.
Why Amorim wants Inácio
It is no secret that Inácio has been on Amorim’s radar ever since the latter left Sporting. He even wanted the Portugal international at United.
But why?
Inácio is a left-footed ball-playing centre-back. That alone makes him a very attractive prospect for any coach who wants his team to play out from the back.
But that’s not all. Inácio grew into his role as Sporting’s leader from the back under Amorim, having come of age under his tutelage. That he understands what Amorim demands of him in his vaunted back-three setup, as well as the nuances of the his tactics’ variations, reflects nicely in Amorim’s pursuit of him.
Inácio is not just a ball-playing centre-back; he’s a ball carrier who thrives in bringing the ball out from the back as well as defending in a high line. One challenge that Amorim will undoubtedly be aware of is how ordinary Inácio can be on aerial duels, which means the onus would be on his defensive partners and other players to step up in aerial challenges.
However, Inácio has evidently being successful on the back of things he’s very good at. Having assessed the other centre-backs at his disposal at San Siro, that Amorim still wants Inácio means he understands that his ball-playing ability would considerably strengthen the side, while his shortcomings could well be masked.
Anshuman Joshi | GIFN
