Crystal Palace, Everton, Leeds United, and West Ham United are all reportedly monitoring the situation of Benfica attacker Goncalo Ramos.
According to 90 min, Goncalo Ramos is quickly becoming one of the hottest commodities in the market, with a host of Premier League clubs, including Crystal Palace, Everton, Leeds United, and West Ham United, said to be tracking his situation and asking to be kept informed of his availability.
The Benfica academy graduate emerged as a promising prospect last season, when he started in 17 of his 29 appearances in Liga NOS, netting seven goals and providing one assist. To date, the Portuguese attacker has scored 17 goals and registered seven assists in 62 outings for the Eagles since making his senior debut in 2020.
The 21-year-old has represented his country at all youth levels, scoring 14 goals in 18 appearances for Portuguese Under-21 side. With three goals and three assists in three games this season, Ramos has got off to a flyer and has filled the void left by Darwin Nunez. But he might yet follow in the footsteps of the Uruguayan marksman and move to English shores this summer.
Despite having four years left on his existing deal at Estadio da Luz, leaving Benfica could soon be on the cards for Ramos. Manager Roger Schmidt is unconvinced by his attributes and understood to be willing to allow the 21-year-old to leave as he wants to bring in a new striker.
It is claimed Benfica are ready to do business should they receive an offer worth over £30 million, meaning there is scope for potential suitors to get the deal done. Ramos’s brilliant record, pedigree, and high ceiling mean he has a slew of Premier League clubs on his tail at the moment.
Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest have already held talks over a move for Ramos, with the former even preparing to launch a formal offer. However, they are not the only clubs looking to pounce. Crystal Palace, Everton, Leeds United, and West Ham United are among seven teams keeping a close eye on the 21-year-old’s situation as the battle for his services intensifies.
Crystal Palace, for one, are in a pickle, with Christian Benteke joining DC United, and last season’s top-scorer Wilfried Zaha linked with a move to Chelsea. Moreover, Odsonne Edouard has been largely underwhelming with his lack of output since his arrival. Thus, signing someone of Ramos’s ability makes complete sense for Crystal Palace.
Everton, meanwhile, have a dearth of quality striking options apart from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who is expected to be out for six weeks with an injury. The Toffees are currently on the lookout for a new striker, and the Portuguese attacker would fit the profile, with his aerial prowess, and mobility making him a perfect alternative to Calvert-Lewin.
The same can be said about Leeds, who are searching the market for a young striker to compete with Patrick Bamford and blossom into a star in future. West Ham are unlikely to pursue the signature of Ramos unless they plan to sell one of their big-hitters, having already signed Gianluca Scamacca from Sassuolo to provide competition to Michail Antonio.
