Transfer gossip: Man Utd ask about Benfica striker who replaced Cristiano Ronaldo
Manchester United will ask about Goncalo Ramos – but Erik ten Hag might not be lavished with a striker at all next month because of all the usual excuses…
MAN UTD EYE RAMOS – BUT MIGHT SIGN NO ONE
In an epic and expensive act of transfer trolling, Manchester United want to replace Cristiano Ronaldo with the striker who took his place in the Portugal side.
That’s the word according to ESPN, which claims the Red Devils will enquire about the availability of Benfica forward Goncalo Ramos. Even if it is by no means certain that Erik ten Hag will be furnished with a centre-forward next month…
Ten Hag wants to add an attacker to a squad that was already light on goalscorers even before Ronaldo started acting the d*ck. But, as we constantly hear from United, the manager has been told that January isn’t the best time to bring in new players, especially with budget restraints in place in the wake of Covid and a higher-than-expected outlay on signings during the summer.
So the fact that Ramos’s valuation has rocketed in the wake of the World Cup hardly helps. The 21-year-old scored a hat-trick for Portugal upon replacing Ronaldo for the knockout phase, which came in the back of 14 goals in 21 games for Benfica so far this season. Ramos was attainable for around £17million during the summer but you can bet that figure has probably now trebled.
Similar goes for Cody Gakpo, who is also under consideration. So is the prospect of making an offer for Joao Felix with the obligation to buy the Atletico forward in the summer.
UNITED, LIVERPOOL RIVAL CHELSEA FOR GERMANY STAR
The outlay it would take to sign Youssoufa Moukoko is rather more palatable to the Glazers, so United are rivalling Chelsea for the Germany starlet. As are Liverpool, says The Times.
Moukoko is out of contract at the end of the season and clubs across Europe are monitoring the teenager’s situation, with the Blues’ previously reported to be keenest among the Premier League big-hitters.
But anyone hoping to land Moukoko would have to convince the 18-year-old that he would not signed to sit on the bench. Indeed, Fabrizio Romano suggests Dortmund remain hopeful that the 18-year-old can be convinced to sign a new deal because of the game time he currently enjoys and his relationship with Edin Terzic.
THE ONE WITH OUNAHI
With Morocco’s World Cup adventure now over after so many of their players made the most of their opportunity in the shop window, attention now turns to which of them will be on the move in January.
Sofyan Amrabat caught the eye more than most, with the midfielder covering every blade of painted grass in Qatar. Liverpool and Tottenham have been credited with varying levels of interest in the 26-year-old, who says he ‘respects’ his current club, Fiorentina, but is ‘proud’ to be linked with clubs of such stature.
His mate in Morocco’s midfield, Azzedine Ounahi, also grabbed the attention of clubs looking for a potential bargain. Ounahi plays for Angers, who currently prop up Ligue 1, but Barcelona are sniffing. L’Equipe says Leicester are also keen, with the Foxes willing to scrape together £38million for the 22-year-old.
Read more: World Cup XI of players whose transfer value has soared over the last few weeks