07 August 2023 , 09:38
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Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos is set to complete a big-money transfer to Paris Saint-Germain – despite Bruno Fernandes urging Manchester United to sign his Portugal international teammate.
PSG are believed to have agreed a €65million (£56m) fee for the 22-year-old in a deal which will also include €15m in add-ons. Ramos enjoyed somewhat of a breakthrough season for the Lisbon giants last campaign, bagging 27 goals as the de facto replacement for Darwin Nunez.
Alongside his goal return, Ramos assisted with a further 12 goals and impressed on the European stage. Benfica topped their Champions League group – which included Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus – before eventually having a superb run ended by Inter in the quarter-finals.
Ramos also starred at international level; he replaced Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal’s starting line-up for the World Cup knockout rounds, bagging a sensational hat-trick in his side’s 6-1 demolition of Switzerland at the Round of 16 stage.
Ramos joined Benfica’s youth academy aged 12 and has blossomed into one of his nation’s brightest talents. Earlier this summer, Fernandes encouraged United to move for his Portugal international teammate – but the Red Devils instead signed striker Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta.
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"I think Goncalo [Ramos] has all the conditions to play in the Premier League," Fernandes told Portuguese channel Sport TV in May, as per Record. "He plays with a lot of intensity, he presses very well and is really good inside the penalty area. He is strong. Obviously, he is still very young and will improve a lot."
Ramos has enjoyed a superb campaign at Benfica (Getty Images) Have Your Say! Did Man Utd make the right decision to sign Hojlund instead of Ramos? Tell us what you think here.
Fernandes added: "If he continues to work as he has worked so far, I believe he has the potential to become one of the best strikers in the world. He is already close to that level, but he still needs to go to a more competitive league and prove himself. He will go there, something I believe he has all the capabilities to do."
Asked whether the striker could join United this summer, Fernandes added: "Here, the best players will always be valued, be it Goncalo or someone else. I think he has all the qualities to play in the Premier League, and when I say in the Premier League, I also mean Manchester United.
"I think he could become a great reference in years to come. But it is still not in my hands, it is up to the sporting director. When I am in that position, I will make those decisions."
United decided early in the summer to move for Hojlund after being priced out of moves for primary targets Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen. PSG, who were also interested in Denmark international Hojlund – are instead now moving for Ramos, with the possibility that Kylian Mbappe leaves the Parc des Princes.