Man Utd open talks with Jorge Mendes over €120m striker signing as selling club delay negotiations
Manchester United have begun discussing a deal for Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos with his agent Jorge Mendes, according to reports in Portugal.
Signing a centre-forward is on the agenda for Man Utd ahead of the summer transfer window. In January, they brought in Wout Weghorst on loan from Burnley as a short-term reinforcement. By the end of the season, they could have bigger plans.
After all, their need for a striker dates back to when Cristiano Ronaldo ended his second spell with the club. With that in mind, they need a high-pedigree player to take over up front.
One of the targets they have been considering is Ramos, who has stepped up for Benfica this season after the summer sale of Darwin Nunez to Liverpool.
According to an update from Portuguese source Record, Man Utd have now made contact with Ramos’ representative, Mendes.
However, despite registering their interest with his agent, they have been unable to make much progress with Ramos’ club. Indeed, Benfica are refusing to enter negotiations about the transfer until the season has concluded.
Even then, they may refer back to Ramos’ release clause, which stands at €120million (£106.8m). Any deal could theoretically match the British transfer record, which Benfica also received when selling Enzo Fernandez to Chelsea in January.
Fernandez had not played in the Premier League before his move away from Benfica, and the same would go for Ramos.
Of course, Ramos may yet prove to be cheaper if Benfica eventually warm to discussing an asking price below the value of his exit clause.
Man Utd could pin hopes on Goncalo Ramos
At the age of 21, Ramos has high potential. This season, he has scored 18 goals from 30 appearances, also providing eight assists.
Hence, if he could replicate that form in England – which, to be fair, his former colleague Nunez has struggled to consistently – he might be the answer Man Utd are looking for.
They will be keen for a deal to be on the right terms, but in that regard they are going to have to wait. Right now, Benfica’s minds are elsewhere.
Ramos is still under contract there until 2026, but he might be ready to take the next step in his career over the next few months. He will have to make sure he isn’t rushing into any decision, that said.
But even if Benfica aren’t willing to talk to Man Utd now, they might be able to keep making inroads to the player via Mendes.
For now, though, it will mainly be a case of continuing to monitor how Ramos is doing in Portuguese football and the Champions League.
