Real Madrid are reportedly planning to make an official approach for Sporting Lisbon defender Goncalo Inacio during the January transfer window.

Having come through the academy system at Sporting, Inacio has established himself as one of the best centre-backs in Portuguese football.

A total of 135 appearances have been made for his boyhood club, contributing 11 goals and eight assists, while he already has a Primeira Liga title to his name.

Furthermore, Sporting sit three points clear at the top of the 2023-24 standings having collected 25 points from a possible 27, conceding just seven goals in the process.

The aim will be to retain an advantage over Benfica and Porto, as well as having another deep run in the Europa League, but Sporting are vulnerable to offers for one of their star men.

Inacio, who is 22 years of age, allegedly has a €60m (£52.3m) release clause in his contract, with the assumption being that no interested clubs would look to pay that figure until next summer.

However, according to Fichajes, Real officials have reached the conclusion that they should try to complete the transfer at the midway point of the campaign.

The report has suggested that Carlo Ancelotti has requested that club president Florentino Perez press forward with a defensive signing due to Eder Militao's long-term absence.

Militao suffered a serious knee injury during his first La Liga appearance of the season and is not expected to return during the back end of the campaign at the very earliest.

To their credit, Real still sit at the top of the La Liga table with the best defensive record in the division, but Ancelotti is seemingly wary that a fresh face is required to strengthen their efforts on the Champions League front.

Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba have featured in the majority of matches, with 33-year-old Nacho offering backup, yet Real will eventually require a younger alternative with the youngest of that trio being 30 years of age.

Liverpool and Manchester United have each been strongly linked with a future bid for Portugal international Inacio, albeit in the summer.

As it stands, Real seemingly have a clear path to agree a deal with the player if they are prepared to meet his buyout option at the turn of the year.