Transfer Centre

Manchester United 'leading race for Benfica's Goncalo Ramos'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 18 May 2023

Man United 'leading race for Goncalo Ramos'

Manchester United are reportedly leading the race to sign Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos, despite interest from Chelsea and other English clubs.

Manchester United are reportedly at the head of the queue to sign in-demand Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos this summer.

The Portugal international sits at the top of the Primeira Liga scoring charts with 18 efforts from 28 games this term, one goal clear of teammate Joao Mario and Porto's Mehdi Taremi.

All in all, Ramos has contributed 26 goals and 12 assists in 45 games across all tournaments this term during a sustained period of progression, as Benfica sit four points clear at the top of the Primeira Liga table with two games left to play.

The 21-year-old also helped the Eagles progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League and made waves with Portugal in Qatar, scoring a hat-trick in their 6-1 last-16 win over Switzerland.

Benfica are under little pressure to sell Ramos this summer, as the striker remains contracted to the Portuguese champions-elect for another three years, but their resolve is likely to be tested either way.

Goncalo Ramos celebrates scoring for Benfica on September 18, 2022 © Reuters

According to Portuguese outlet Record, a host of English clubs are hoping to prise Ramos away from Benfica this summer, but the Red Devils are currently leading the race.

Erik ten Hag's side have also been handed a boost in their pursuit of the forward, as Benfica have apparently identified Getafe's Enes Unal as an ideal replacement.

By making contingency plans for his possible exit, Roger Schmidt's side are seemingly resigned to losing Ramos this summer, and the 21-year-old is also believed to be on Chelsea's shortlist.

In order to fend off interest from their London counterparts, Man United are thought to be formulating a club-record bid for Ramos, who is approaching his 10th anniversary as a Benfica player after joining their academy ranks in 2013.

Ramos, who supposedly possesses a €120m (£104.4m) release clause in his Benfica contract, has amassed a total of 40 goals and 16 assists in 104 outings for the Primeira Liga giants in all competitions since making his senior debut.

Goncalo Ramos in action for Benfica on October 8, 2022 © Reuters

The striker is yet to win a major trophy with Benfica, but the Eagles will be crowned Primeira Liga champions if they can get the better of Sporting Lisbon on Sunday evening.

Man United failed to permanently replace Al-Nassr-bound Cristiano Ronaldo in January, only bringing in Wout Weghorst on loan from Burnley to compete with the injury-riddled Anthony Martial.

However, with just two goals to show from 28 games in a Red Devils shirt, Weghorst is not expected to earn a permanent move to the Theatre of Dreams, and an underwhelming season for Martial could spell the end of his time at the club too.

Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane, Napoli's Victor Osimhen and Eintracht Frankfurt's Randal Kolo Muani have been named as three of Man United's top attacking targets, but the Red Devils face being priced out of moves for all three players.

As well as bringing a new top-class striker to Old Trafford, Ten Hag supposedly also wants to welcome a marquee midfield signing, while a new right-back and goalkeeper could also be on the agenda.