Manchester City may not have been heavily linked to Sporting defender Gonçalo Inácio lately, but are today suggested to sign him from the Lions.

That possibility is brought to newspaper O Jogo. They feature a story about the centre-back being ready to take a step forward in his career by making a move to a new European club, and brings some comments from Daniel Carriço and José Boto.

As they talk about how ‘mature’ Inácio now is, Carriço was the first to bring up Manchester City. That happened because he was pointing out that the €60m demanded by Sporting may not be too much money, and recalled that the investment on Ruben Dias was completely worth it.

“We saw it happen with Rúben Dias at City. Who knows if the same thing won’t happen with Inácio, a transfer for very high sums. A left-footed centre-half who is quick and good in the air are characteristics that make him even more valuable.”

Boto then pushed a little harder and claimed it’s really Manchester City who should sign Inácio, as he’d actually make a good partnership with Dias.

“Inácio is a very good builder, very quick at reading the game. He’s an intelligent player. He plays well and is ready to leave. He needs a specific team that likes to build from the back.

Manchester City, for example. I think he’d make a good partner for Ruben Dias. He’s very comfortable on the ball. I don’t know if there will be many teams who can take him because he has very specific characteristics. I think he’s at a good time to make the leap.”

Gonçalo Inácio has been linked to several clubs in the past few years, and, this summer, Manchester United and Liverpool who were the ones said to be more interested to bring him to the Premier League.

No one seemed keen on matching Sporting’s requests for his sale, though, and that could give Pep Guardiola an opportunity.