Newcastle United have Goncalo Ramos on their radar this summer as Eddie Howe hopes to see a new striker come through the doors on Tyneside.
This has been claimed by insider Graeme Bailey, who has been discussing the Magpies’ search for a Callum Wilson backup on the latest Talking Transfers podcast.
The Portuguese striker played alongside new Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez for large parts of last season and was able to score seven times in 27 top-flight appearances (via Transfermarkt).
And he has got off to a promising start this season, with seven goal involvements across his four appearances in the league and the Champions League qualifiers.
Along with Joao Pedro, Bailey believes Dan Ashworth is seriously considering Ramos as a potential backup to Wilson as the Toon seek their first attacking signing of the summer.
He said: “Seemingly, there’s a bit of a fallout there with [Benfica manager] Roger Schmidt. Even though he’s playing, he doesn’t seem to be in love with him.
“So Newcastle are looking seriously at this guy. I think £35m might be enough to get him out. He has been offered around the Premier League like a lot of players have. He was on [Manchester] United’s radar as well.”
TIF Thoughts on Bailey’s comments…
Ramos’ early start to the 2022/23 campaign is definitely a promising sign, especially with a goal and two assists in his opening two games in the Portuguese top flight.
Who would you prefer at NUFC?
Joao Pedro
Goncalo Ramos
Given the 21-year-old – who was praised for his ‘outrageous numbers’ for Benfica B by scout Jacek Kulig – has a lot of experience playing as a second striker alongside Nunez, we think this could offer Howe something different with the option of playing two up top.
However, what may be a bit of a concern is Bailey’s comments on how other Premier League sides have supposedly passed on the striker, having been offered to sides across the league.