6 Portuguese top-flight stars wanted by PL clubs including Man Utd targets

The summer transfer window promises to be an exciting time for fans up and down the country.

Indeed, it's expected to be a busy period for the Big Six and, in particular, Manchester United. The Red Devils are preparing for a new era under Erik ten Hag, who has the huge task of helping the club return to their heyday.

Indeed, plenty of clubs are being linked with world-class players ahead of the opening of the transfer market on June 10, but things don't always go to plan. With that in mind, Mirror Football takes a look at all the Portuguese players being linked with a move to the Premier League this summer...

Darwin Nunez

The hot prospect only needed two seasons at Benfica to catch the attention of Premier League biggest clubs, including the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United. The 22-year-old joined the Eagles from Almeria and has gone on to become one of the most valuable players in the squad, attracting transfer bids in the January window, including from West Ham.

Last season, the Uruguayan surpassed all expectations, making a name for himself in the Champions League and going on to score 34 goals in his 41 appearances all competitions. He finished the season as the league's top goal scorer with 26 goals. Porto's Mehdi Taremi finished as the runner-up with six less goals than Nunez.

It is evident he has immense potential but just how well could he potentially fare in the Premier League?

Goncalo Inacio

The 20-year-old, who came through Sporting's academy, is attracting interest from Wolves, Manchester United and Newcastle. Inacio came to the first-team scene last season after Ruben Amorim was appointed as new manager.

Amorim, who is known to offer young talents opportunities, has seen a change in Inacio's development the last year. "Goncalo Inacio had a big growth, when he first joined the first-team he would sometimes play as a left-back, but he adapted really well to the team and I'm really pleased with him and his performance against Braga," Amorim said of the teenager in January.

His growth is reflected on the number of appearances he made between his first season and this year. In his first campaign he played just 20 league games (25 apps in all competitions), as the Lions claimed the Primeira Liga title, after a 20-year drought. Meanwhile, during the 2021/22 season he featured 45 times in all competitions, helping to five goals and three assists.

While Inacio is not short of suitors this summer, it is all but confirmed whether a move to the English football will come to fruition.

Which prospect excites you most that you would like to see play in the Premier League? Have your say in the comment section below...

David Carmo

Despite the centre-back being absent for almost a year due to suffering an ankle injury in February 2021, he has gone on to attract United and Wolves interest. Bruno Lage is very familiar with the player, and is keen to bring him to Molineux to replace Romain Saiss, who has recently left the club.

Carmo was restricted to just 19 appearances last season - and helped contribute to Braga's fourth place finish in the Primeira Liga for a second successive season. Despite his bit-part role, his performances did not go unnoticed by Portugal national team coach Fernando Santos, who handed the 22-year-old his first international call-up.

"Like any Portuguese player, since I was a kid, I dreamed of being here amongst the best in the country. I'm very happy, proud of the journey and the mentality is to keep doing what I've been doing so far," Carmo said.

With three years left on his current Braga deal, the defender's current market value is £13.5million. Liverpool reportedly missed out on his signing on Deadline Day in the January transfer window but as it stands, they are not in the race for his signature this time around.

Joao Palhinha

Jorge Mendes' client could be on his way to the Premier League this summer, after interest from Lage's side. Given Mendes' influence in transfers, it is possible a move could materialise in the possible departure of Wolves star Ruben Neves to Barcelona.

The 26-year-old arrived at Sporting in 2014, before making breaking through the senior team in 2016. Interestingly, the last two seasons he has gone on to make the same number of appearances (38), while also competing at Champions League level.

Amorim previously spoke highly of his growth as a player, stating : "I gave him the script of maturity and the difference of four years. Jorge Jesus used the Palhinha of four years ago, I use the Palhinha of now.

"The credit belongs to Palhinha, that grew up that way. I often tell Palhinha that he is very good without the ball and with the ball. More than a tactical coach, I get it in Palhinha's head that he is a special player."

Sergio Oliveira

The Porto man has attracted interest from several clubs, including Wolves. Oliveira has recently returned to Porto after spending the second half of last season on loan at Jose Mourinho's AS Roma.

Mourinho became a fan of the Portuguese despite deciding to not trigger the option to buy - and he wants the midfielder on loan again. "He belongs to Porto," Mourinho told Mais Futebol. "If they want to loan him again to us I'd happily drive over to Madrid and pick him up myself, since that's where he's been celebrating his birthday.

"He's a champion. He was important for us, and he shared many of my principles, principles on how to behave on and off the pitch, on how to work and how to face challenges. "He helped me get that message across in the second half of the season to the rest of the team. He was an example we needed, he is a team player and the team is much more important than the individual."

Al-Musrati

The Braga man is now on the radar of Wolves and Fulham, who are keen to acquire the midfielder's services. The 26-year-old joined Braga in 2020 and has become a key player for former manager Carlos Carvalhal, both in the Primeira Liga and the Europa League.

Despite interest from the aforementioned teams, Portuguese outlet O Jogo reported that a proposal from rivals Sporting was rejected by the club.