Arsenal are interested in signing Sporting Lisbon centre-back Goncalo Inacio, according to The Sun.

The English tabloid reports that the Gunners are “chasing” the Portuguese defender, who has been capped 5 times by his country.

Inacio is unlikely to be targeted during the January transfer window, but scouts have been keeping a watchful eye on the player’s performances in anticipation of a bid being made at the end of the season.

The 22-year-old’s form this campaign has seemingly caught the attention of the London club. His performances are one of the key reasons why Sporting top the Liga Portugal table, having beaten rivals Porto last weekend.

Inacio has a release clause in his contract

The Portuguese international only signed a new contract with Sporting back in August. The new deal could have ended speculation about his future but it has since emerged that a clause was included which would allow him to leave for €60m (£52m).

Unsurprisingly, that has attracted the interest of other Premier League clubs, with The Sun claiming that both Manchester United and Liverpool are also keen on Inacio.

Don’t Arsenal have enough centre-backs already?

Manager Mikel Arteta does have William Saliba, Gabriel, Jakub Kiwior, Ben White, Jurrien Timber and even Takehiro Tomiyasu who can all play in the centre of defence if required.

However, it appears that the Gunners still believe it is an area they can improve. Inacio is left-footed which may suggest he could be a replacement for Kiwior.

The Polish international has struggled since arriving from Spezia in January and there are reportedly a number of Serie A teams that would like to bring him back to Italy.

For now, it looks as though Arsenal will stick with Kiwior until next summer but, from the looks of things, Inacio is someone they would like to sign in the future.