Manchester United have included Sporting CP center-back Gonçalo Inacio on their shortlist as they continue their quest for a new defender in the January transfer window, as per information from Fabrizio Romano.

United is reportedly planning to dispatch scouts to Portugal to assess the 22-year-old's abilities. Inacio has recently been linked with Liverpool and Newcastle as well.

The centre of defence has become a top priority for United as the transfer window approaches.

Manager Erik ten Hag has been without Lisandro Martínez for a period, and England international Harry Maguire is yet to completely win over the former Ajax head coach, particularly after a potential transfer to West Ham fell through during the summer.

Inacio is the latest in a series of options being considered by Manchester United.

Reports suggest that they are also exploring potential acquisitions of players like Jean-Clair Todibo from Nice, António Silva from Benfica, and Edmond Tapsoba from Bayer Leverkusen.

Negotiating with Inacio may be a challenge since he is under contract until 2027, and Sporting CP has reportedly set a release clause for him at €60 million.