Gonçalo Ramos (21 years old, Olhão, Portugal) is living a fairy tale. In just a few months, the Benfica striker has gone from being with a foot and a half outside the Lisbon club to becoming the most decisive striker in the Portuguese league. His irruption at the international level occurred on December 6. That day, Portugal faced Switzerland in the round of 16 of the World Cup in Qatar. The news before the match was the substitution of Cristiano Ronaldo. His place in the eleven was taken, precisely, by Gonçalo Ramos. The young striker scored a hat-trick and turned the substitution of the Portuguese star into an anecdote. Portugal won 6-1 and Ramos dazzled the world. From that moment, the giants of England began to notice him. Manchester United is the one that has shown the most interest. Ten Hag has given the go-ahead to his signing, but his arrival at Old Trafford will depend on who the new owner is. The operation would be around 100 million euros, a figure very close to his termination clause.
Gonçalo Ramos is attracted to playing in the Spanish league and trying to make history in the same championship as other of his compatriots. However, The delicate economic situation that the Spanish teams are going through means that only Real Madrid can face his transfer. The white club is looking for a forward to reinforce a demarcation in which it will only have Benzema and the still youthful Álvaro Rodríguez. Goncalo Ramos is very well referenced in the Valdebebas officesbut it seems that the shots of the white house could go the other way. The new star of Benfica is an aggressive player who works a lot and is greatly improving his definition at the first touch. In Portugal he is already compared for his physical waste and intensity with the former Barcelona and Atlético striker Luis Suárez. From his father, Manuel Ramos, a very fast right winger who played for several Portuguese teams, he has inherited speed.
Gonçalo Ramos’ situation has changed from day to night in a matter of weeks. Benfica wanted to transfer him last summer, because the club’s bet was Henrique Araújo, on loan to Watford in the winter market. Many people within the Lisbon team considered that Gonçalo Ramos would not become a top-level striker. Hence reports were favorable to his departure before the present season began. Finally, this transfer did not take place because the offers that came from Leeds and Nottingham Forest did not reach Benfica’s claims. The arrival of Roger Schmidt to the bench of the Eagles was also key for the striker to prefer to stay in Lisbon, although that meant playing fewer minutes than in another team. The German coach won him over for his style of play and his personal treatment. Gonçalo Ramos has repaid that confidence, reaching an extraordinary level. He has turned from being on the discard list to becoming Benfica’s next big sale. The numbers support it like this: 24 goals (without penalty kicks) and 10 assists in 36 games. Gonçalo Ramos has gone from ugly duckling to swan in record time.
Right now
- The Spanish clubs are convinced that the president of the LFP, Javier Tebas, will open his hand somewhat with the salary limit this summer to lessen the economic suffocation they suffer when they have to go to the transfer market.
- Vlahovic is one of the strikers that Real Madrid likes to reinforce the attack next summer. A part of the Chelsea owners also wants to bet heavily on the signing of the Juventus goalscorer.
