Following the 6-3 defeat at the hands of Manchester City, Manchester United are reportedly gunning for the signing of Benfica’s Goncalo Ramos.
The striker is in the form of his life, having registered eight goals and six assists already this campaign. That includes a hat-trick against FC Midtjylland in Champions League qualifying, as well as a brace in Benfica’s 5-0 league demolition of Maritimo.
Ramos became a transfer target for Newcastle United in June, prior to his goalscoring exploits this season. The Magpies were hoping to capture him during the summer transfer window, but they couldn’t do so.
This has greatly benefitted Benfica, as they are unbeaten and at the top of the Primeira Liga table, partly down to Ramos’ goal contributions. The Portuguese side have also won their first two Champions League group matches, putting them in a great position to reach the knockout rounds.
However, Ramos’ exciting performances mean Benfica will have to try and fend off more interested clubs next year.
Manchester United have already made contact with the attacker’s representatives over a January move to Old Trafford. Newcastle are still on Ramos’ trail, while Paris Saint-Germain hope to sign him too.
United officials will look to make a few changes to Erik ten Hag’s squad in the winter window. They spent big in the summer, landing six new players. Despite this, reports insist more money will be available to Ten Hag in January.
United’s need for some new blood has been increased by the thrashing from City on Sunday. As a result of this, United are pushing hard to bring Ramos to the Premier League.
Goncalo Ramos asking price rises
This information comes from The Sun, who cite reports out of Portugal. They claim the 21-year-old’s price tag is £35million, rather than the £25m that has previously been touted.
Having already made contact with Ramos and his agent, United will soon initiate talks with Benfica to see if a deal can be sorted.
However, it will not be easy to get Ramos’ signing over the line. The Sun confirm Newcastle and PSG are interested in taking the Portuguese on board, and they will put up stiff competition due to this.
Ramos will be delighted at the size of the clubs he can choose from. United are pushing to return to the Champions League under Ten Hag, though the derby result won’t have helped.
Newcastle are eyeing a top-six spot in the next few seasons thanks to their huge spending power, while PSG are the reigning Ligue 1 champions.
Star will want regular playing time
Probably the main factor Ramos will use to decide his next destination is game time. He won’t want to leave Benfica just to sit on the bench and stunt his development.
This means he will take into account whether he will start ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo or Marcus Rashford at United. Of course, Ronaldo leaving might change Ramos’ mind.
Newcastle already have Callum Wilson, Chris Wood and Alexander Isak available up front. This means Ramos may struggle to become their main striker.
PSG will likely face rejection due to their treatment of Hugo Ekitike. He moved to the French capital in the summer, after rejecting Newcastle, but has had to mainly rely on short substitute appearances since then and is yet to open his PSG account.
Ramos won’t want to make the same mistake as Ekitike and this could see him prioritise a switch to England.