Newcastle United have “looked at” potentially signing Benfica and Portugal U21 striker Gonçalo Ramos this summer, according to Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie.
It is no secret that Eddie Howe is looking to add another striker to his side this season, with the club having Callum Wilson and Chris Wood as their centre-forward options at the time of writing.
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What’s the latest on Ramos?
Newcastle are reportedly interested in bringing Ramos to St. James’ Park this season, with Benfica knowing that a bid north of £35m will likely be enough to get the striker out of the Portuguese club this summer.
However, the Magpies are not the only potential suitors for the forward this season, with Southampton having held talks with Benfica over a potential £25m move for the striker, according to The Athletic.
The club have received a boost though, as Wolverhampton Wanderers were also thought to be interested in the striker, but the club’s head coach Bruno Lage revealed in his pre-Tottenham Hotspur press conference that the club had made no contact with Benfica for the transfer of the 21-year-old.
And Downie believes that Ramos is “another one” on Newcastle’s shortlist, as the club look to add another striker to Howe’s squad this season.
What has Downie said about Ramos?
He told GIVEMESPORT: “The word that we were getting last week was that Ramos was another one that they'd looked at on the list, kind of similar to the lad Benjamin Šeško, who's going to RB Leipzig, who Manchester United looked at as well.
“I think there's such a small pool of players available at the moment and multiple clubs are looking at them, that clubs are very sort of unsure.
“They don't want any information getting out there because you don't want to alert other clubs that are down the line with someone.”
Will Ramos sign for Newcastle?
With the transfer window due to close in less than two weeks, Newcastle will need to make a move sooner rather than later, if they are to secure the signing of a striker before the 1st September transfer window deadline.
The 18-time Portugal U21 international has enjoyed a scintillating start to the current campaign, scoring five goals and providing three assists in just five appearances for Benfica this season according to Transfermarkt, suggesting that the forward may feel it’s time to step up to the Premier League.
It looks at the moment that it’s a direct battle between Newcastle and Southampton for the young striker’s signature, but if Ramos keeps up this current form before the transfer window closes, he won’t be short of potential suitors.