Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Benfica sensation Goncalo Ramos, with the Portugal international having enjoyed a stunning start to the campaign for both club and country.
What’s the word?
According to The Athletic’s Andy Mitten, the 21-year-old is said to be a player that Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag ‘likes’, with a new forward addition seemingly a ‘priority’ following the recent departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Old Trafford outfit may well face a battle to land the striker next month, though, with the report also suggesting that the Lisbon outfit are seemingly in no rush to part ways with their prized asset, having only sold Darwin Nunez to Liverpool in the summer for a reported figure of around £85m.
It could well take an even greater fee than that if United are to snap up the exciting Ramos in 2023, with the Primeira Liga giants seemingly holding out for the youngster’s hefty release clause of roughly €120m (£104m).
Imagine him and Bruno
Ramos has warranted such interest as a result of his sparkling form in the early months of the current campaign, with the “incredibly prolific” ace – as described by talent scout Jacek Kulig – having scored 14 goals and registered six assists in just 21 games for Benfica so far this term.
That hot streak – which follows a tally of eight goals across all fronts last term alongside the aforementioned Nunez – has also now continued onto the international stage, with the Olhao native having scored four goals in just five senior caps for Portugal.
The 6 foot 1 ace – who previously scored 14 times in just 18 games for Portugal’s U21 side – proved to be something of a “hero” at the World Cup in Qatar, as per journalist Simon Collings, firing in a ruthless hat-trick in the 6-1 thrashing of Switzerland.
That standout performance came with Ramos forming part of a dynamic forward line alongside the likes of Joao Felix and current United star Bruno Fernandes, and the thought of the latter being able to strike up a partnership with his young compatriot at the Theatre of Dreams is a truly mouthwatering prospect.
The 28-year-old – who has 53 goals and 42 assists to his name in 156 games for United so far – could well be the man to provide quality service to Ramos in attack, with the £240k-per-week playmaker having regularly been the creative hub for the Red Devils in recent years.
That is evidenced by the fact that Fernandes currently ranks second in the Premier League for big chances created this season (eight), having also averaged a stunning haul of 2.6 key passes per game in the top flight this term.
With the former Sporting Lisbon maestro providing the goods from his playmaking berth, and with Ramos there to finish off that multitude of chances in attack, Ten Hag could have the makings of a fearsome duo if a deal for the 21-year-old can be struck in the New Year.