Manchester United could replace Harry Maguire with the signing of Sporting Lisbon's Goncalo Inacio, who they have been linked with over the past year.

Indeed, manager Erik ten Hag is said to be a huge admirer of the young starlet, who has risen to prominence in Portugal recently, now an integral cog in Ruben Amorin's side.

This week, Portuguese publication O Jogo (via Man Utd News) claims that Inacio's outfit are resigned to losing their budding colossus this summer, with the Red Devils interested in acquiring his signature by activating his €45m (£40m) release clause.

It was this hindrance that led Ten Hag to move for his former club Ajax Amsterdam centre-back Lisandro Martinez, who joined Old Trafford in a £56.7m deal.

With the same publication (via Sport Witness), stating that divisional rivals Newcastle United €33m (£29.5m) had an offer rejected last summer, the gear on the saga is ramping up, and it might be that the swiftest moving transfer department will secure the 21-year-old's services for the coming years.

Bye-bye Maguire

Ten Hag is not exactly being circumspect in his transfer exploits, having arrived in Manchester from Ajax ahead of the ongoing campaign, with a total expenditure of £213m on new additions being parted with during his first transfer window.

The shrewd loan signing of Wout Weghorst has recently been secured to bolster the offensive ranks, but with the future in mind, the Dutch manager might well swoop for Inacio to nurture and develop his burgeoning ability, moulding him into one of Europe's finest defensive forces.

Having made 25 appearances this season, scoring two goals and one assist and keeping 11 clean sheets, the Portugal U21 international is en-route to a major role at the forefront of European football, with his average league rating of 6.92 this term, as per Sofascore, completing 90% of his passes and making 1.1 tackles, 1.4 interceptions and 2.1 clearances per match - a further illumination of the prosperous future that lies around the corner.

Should he arrive, he could replace Man United's £80m defender Harry Maguire, who has somewhat failed to live up to the exorbitant fee, and has recently been urged to make his departure from Old Trafford.

The £190k-per-week Maguire has been branded as a "liability for both club and country" by journalist Jacob Schneider for his lacklustre displays, consequently only starting four league games this season under Ten Hag, who evidently does not entrust the 53-cap Englishman with a starring role under his tutelage.

The "underrated" Inacio - as hailed by journalist Zach Lowy - would certainly be an upgrade on Maguire, who has lost his regular starting spot and captaincy at the Theatre of Dreams.

And at 29 years of age, Red Devils' technical director John Murtough might usher him out for new blood to take the reins for the new chapter at the prestigious football club, staring with the Sporting gem's arrival.