Newcastle United will have to pay €120 million (£105 million) to sign Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos this summer, with the striker’s value tripling since the start of the season, according to a report.
Which clubs are looking to sign Goncalo Ramos?
Newcastle emerged as a potential suitor for Ramos in August, when the club was desperate for a new striker, but he pledged his loyalty to Benfica, where he has played since the age of 12. The Magpies are not the only Premier League club eyeing the forward, with Portuguese outlet Record reporting Manchester United could make a move, amid reports he has grown weary of waiting for a pay rise at Benfica. (via Football365)
Chelsea is also said to be interested in signing the Portugal international, but he is under contract until 2026, so his current club is under no obligation to sell him for less than his release clause anytime soon. Newcastle’s chances of signing the 21-year-old this summer may be jeopardized by the release clause, as Jornal de Noticias reports Benfica will demand the full €120 million (£105 million) (via Sport Witness).
The new fee is a significant increase from earlier in the season, when the Olhao-born marksman was valued at just €40 million (£35 million), but the Portuguese club believes he can now command far more given his outstanding performances for club and country this season. Newcastle, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain are among the clubs linked to the starlet, but it remains to be seen whether any of them will be willing to match the figure set by Benfica.
The Benfica youth product impressed during the World Cup in Qatar, with Gary Lineker calling him “remarkable” for handling the pressure of replacing Cristiano Ronaldo, scoring a hat-trick against Switzerland in the round of 16.
At club level, the youngster has been a force in front of goal, scoring 16 times in the Primeira Liga and averaging 0.88 goals per 90 minutes, the joint-highest figure of any player with at least five goals.
However, spending £105 million on a player unproven outside of Portugal would be a significant risk for Newcastle, and they should look to negotiate a lower transfer fee, which they may be able to do given that he is becoming dissatisfied with having to wait for a new contract.
Given the level of interest in Ramos, the Magpies will still need to spend big to sign him in the summer, but based on his goal return and proven ability to perform under pressure, he would be an excellent addition to the frontline.
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