Manchester United is expected to spend big in the January transfer window.
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has reportedly ‘chosen’ Goncalo Ramos as his No 1 target heading into the January transfer window. United is one striker down from when the Premier League season stopped for the World Cup following Cristiano Ronaldo’s explosive exit from the club.
Anthony Martial is now the main man through the middle while Marcus Rashford could also be called upon to feature more centrally. Signing a new striker will be United’s top priority next month and a host of names have been linked with a switch to Old Trafford.
Cody Gakpo has been the name most strongly linked with a move to United in the past few months. And his displays at the 2022 World Cup for the Netherlands only increased his stock at PSV.
The Dutch side has conceded that they’re unlikely going to be able to hold onto their star striker in January. But it doesn’t seem as though Gakpo is United’s first choice heading into the New Year.
According to Calciomercato, Ten Hag has personally handpicked Portugal starlet Ramos as his preferred option. It’s claimed that Ramos has been ‘chosen’ by the United boss for the club officials to try and thrash out a deal with Benfica.
The 21-year-old played a bit-part role for Benfica last season as Darwin Nunez led the line for the Portuguese side. But Ramos is now the main man at Benfica after Nunez left for Liverpool and the Portugal international has thrived in his new role.
He’s already bagged 15 goals in just 22 appearances along with providing six assists. And the striker hit the headlines at the World Cup as he scored a hat-trick for his country in their 6-1 win over Switzerland.
But Ramos won’t come cheap for United with Benfica unlikely to budge on the £105million release clause in his contract. Joao Felix, Memphis Depay, and Rafael Leao have also been touted as potential attacking options in recent months.
United get their season back up and running on Tuesday when they host Nottingham Forest before traveling to wolves just a few days later on New Years’ Eve.
