Goncalo Inacio has been left out of Sporting CP‘s matchday squad amid mounting speculation linking the Portugal international with moves to Barcelona and AC Milan.
The 24-year-old centre-back was notably absent as Sporting defeated Alverca 3-1 in league action on Saturday evening. His omission has intensified rumours that a transfer away from the Lisbon club could be imminent before the window closes.
Milan hunt for defensive cover
AC Milan are actively seeking to strengthen their backline following the exclusion of Fikayo Tomori from the first-team setup. The England defender has not been allocated a squad number for the 2026-27 campaign, creating an urgent need for reinforcements at San Siro.
Inacio has emerged as a primary target to fill this vacancy. Reports suggest the pursuit may be assisted by connections with Portuguese super agent Jorge Mendes, who was previously involved in Milan’s acquisitions of Goncalo Ramos and Diego Moreira.
Barcelona emerge as rivals
However, Milan face competition from Barcelona. The Catalan club are also exploring a deal for the Sporting defender, according to reports from Diario Sport and Gianluca Di Marzio. Inacio’s absence from the Alverca fixture has been linked directly to interest from Camp Nou.
The developments place Sporting CP in a challenging position. The Portuguese club reportedly value Inacio at approximately €40 million, a substantial figure that reflects his standing as one of the league’s most promising centre-backs.
Next steps
With the transfer window nearing its conclusion, both clubs appear to be accelerating their efforts to secure the defender’s signature. While no agreement has been officially confirmed, Inacio’s exclusion from the weekend’s squad suggests negotiations may be advancing.
The coming days will likely prove decisive in determining whether the 24-year-old remains in Lisbon or makes a high-profile switch to either Serie A or La Liga.