Manchester United have reportedly had a player-plus-cash deal rejected for Portuguese striker Goncalo Ramos that would have seen Alex Telles move to Benfica.
According to CaughtOffside, Manchester United have failed to sign Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos in a part-exchange deal that would have seen out-of-favour left-back Alex Telles move the other way.
The report explains that United ramped up their interest in Ramos and Atalanta forward Rasmus Hojlund last week. However, they have failed to come up with a suitable offer for the former and are now moving forward with Hojlund as their top target.
Erik ten Hag is aiming to bolster his squad this summer as United prepare to return to the Champions League. Mason Mount was signed from Chelsea last week for an initial £55 million, while United are believed to be closing in on a deal to sign Inter goalkeeper Andre Onana after parting ways with David de Gea.
Personal terms for the Cameroonian shot-stopper are not anticipated to be a problem, and there remains a willingness from all parties to get the deal over the line after United’s initial £38.5 million bid was rejected. United have also been exploring signing a new striker ever since the tumultuous departure of Cristiano Ronaldo last November.
United currently have just one specialist centre-forward in Anthony Martial. The Frenchman scored only nine goals last season after missing a staggering 29 games with injuries. The club knows they desperately require a new forward and can’t go into the new season solely relying on Marcus Rashford to provide goals.
And having hit a brickwall in their pursuit of Tottenham’s Harry Kane, it appears Ten Hag has turned his attention elsewhere, with CaughtOffside now reporting the Red Devils have failed with a swap deal for Benfica hotshot Ramos.
The Portuguese striker was in fantastic form for the reigning Primeira Liga champions last season, scoring 27 goals and providing 12 assists in 47 appearances in all competitions. He was also brilliant for Portugal at the World Cup, scoring a hat-trick against Switzerland in the last 16.
His progress has caught the eye of several European clubs, with Newcastle, PSG, and Manchester United all said to be keeping tabs on the player in recent months. The Portugal international currently has a release clause worth €120 million in his contract, but Benfica are ready to listen to offers lower than that.
Ramos would be a perfect striker for manager Ten Hag given that he not only excels at finding the back of the net but is also good with his hold-up play, defensive, and pressing attributes. Still only 22, he should only get better with age and experience.
Although Ramos is a promising striker to keep an eye on, United currently appear to be edging closer to landing Atalanta forward Rasmus Hojlund, with the 20-year-old already agreeing personal terms with the Red Devils. And if those reports are to be believed, they are unlikely to return to negotiating table with an improved offer for Ramos at least this summer, with Ten Hag working with a limited budget.
As for Telles, he has been deemed surplus to requirements by United, but he’s hesitant to move to Benfica and would prefer to return to Porto, having previously starred for the Primeira Liga giants.
