Man Utd scout Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal replacement Goncalo Ramos but face mammoth transfer fee
MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly targeting Goncalo Ramos for a summer transfer.
But the Red Devils will need to stump up a British record to trigger his release clause.
Ramos, 21, has shone for Benfica since breaking through as a first-team regular last season.
And his heroic exploits at the World Cup showed he can be the heir to Cristiano Ronaldo’s throne for Portugal.
Now United want him to be Ronaldo’s successor at Old Trafford, too, after sending scouts to watch him in action.
As reported by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Erik ten Hag is desperate to add a striker to his squad and has identified Ramos as a potential option.
However, United face plenty of competition for his signature with some of Europe’s top clubs on the hunt for a new centre-forward.
And Romano insists Benfica are determined to do everything they can to hold on to the academy graduate – including with a mammoth release clause in his contract.
The journalist said on his YouTube channel: “Many European clubs are interested in Goncalo Ramos.
“PSG director Luis Campos wanted the player a year ago, last summer but it was not possible to negotiate with Benfica because they did not want to sell.
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“Also Manchester United scouts have been following the player for a really long time.
“They really appreciate Goncalo Ramos. He’s one of many players they are tracking.
“But it’s important to say the Benfica position.
“Benfica love the player, they want to keep him, the manager Roger Schmidt has said publicly he loves him not just for the goals but also his attitude, hard work and defensive work with the team.
“This is why it will be really difficult to sign Goncalo Ramos but there is a release clause, the release clause will be buried in the summer 100 per cent and it is €120million [£106m].”
That £106m fee would match the fee Chelsea paid Benfica for Enzo Fernandez in January – a new British transfer record.
Ramos has 37 goals in 93 senior games for his club – with a whopping 23 in 34 this term to help fire Benfica clear at the top of the Primeira Liga and into the Champions League quarter-finals.
For Portugal, he has four goals in five caps – including a phenomenal hat-trick against Switzerland in the World Cup last-16 6-1 win.
As revealed by SunSport, though, United have already made contact with Harry Kane over a blockbuster summer transfer while Napoli ace Victor Osimhen is also on their wishlist.