Benfica President 'expecting' Manchester United to pay Goncalo Ramos' release clause

The Red Devils are in search of a striker

Manchester United are on a 'hunt' for a striker as they look to strengthen their attacking line for the 2023–24 season. Their primary target, 'Harry Kane, is unlikely to join the club. They are now focusing on other options, and one of them is Benfica's Goncalo Ramos.

The 22-year-old forward is one of the hottest properties in football, and Benfica's President, Rui Costa, believes that Manchester United could trigger the striker's release clause.

Goncalo Romos has a release clause of £103 million. The 22-year-old scored 24 goals in 45 appearances for Benfica in 2022–23. He also made six appearances for the national side, including four at the FIFA World Cup 2022. Ramos scored a hat-trick against Switzerland in the round of 16 match.

The Premier League club has not made any formal approach yet for the Portuguese international. Currently, they are looking for cheaper alternatives, and the sale of some of their players will only tell them whether they can invest in Ramos.

Last season, Rui Costa made it clear that the Portuguese striker would not leave the club until the buy-out clause was met. The 51-year-old said, "Fortunately, we are not experiencing financial problems and we have no need to sell players."

Rasmus Hojlund of Atalanta and Randal Kolo Muani of Eintracht Frankfurt are also on Erik ten Hag's transfer radar. The club made a bid for the former, but the amount was lower than Atlanta's asking price.

Correio da Manha reported that Benfica have already turned down a £50 million bid for Ramos from an undisclosed club.

A lot of clubs might be interested in the forward, but only a few will be able to pay the release clause. Erik ten Hag definitely needs a striker, and the Portuguese international could become a great addition. However, the budget is low at the moment for the Dutch manager. United are expected to trim their squad and use the transfer money for new arrivals.