10 goals, 6 assists: £25m ace shows Wolves and Everton must sign him

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What do Manchester United, Southampton, Everton, Wolves and Nottingham Forest all have in common? Well, with the January just over two months away, do not be surprised if at least five Premier League clubs are already drawing up plans to bring in a new centre-forward in the winter window. 

No one has scored fewer goals than managerless Wolves. Nottingham Forest (seven in 11 games) aren’t much better in the final third.  

A lack of ruthlessness in the final third threatens to keep Everton and Southampton glancing nervously over their shoulders too. While Manchester United have mustered 77 shots in their last three games while scoring a grand total of three goals. 

So the battle to secure Goncalo Ramos’ sought-after signature is likely to be one keenly fought by clubs from all corners of England in the New Year. Goldilocks striker, if you will; prolific, promising and hugely talented, yet affordable enough for teams in the bottom half of England’s top flight.

Goncalo Ramos a target for multiple Premier League clubs

According to The Athletic, Benfica’s Portugal U21 international held talks regarding a potential £25 million move to Southampton in August. Everton are also big admirers, per Record. As are Wolves (90Min), Newcastle United (Northern Echo) and Nottingham Forest (Record). 

And it’s testament to how much Ramos has grown already this term that Benfica – one of the few unbeaten sides remaining in Europe – have won 14 out of a potential 17 games even after the mega-money sale of last season’s top scorer Darwin Nunez; impressing both domestically and in the Champions League.

Ramos, should he stay until next summer, may not match Nunez’s tally of 34 from last term. But, with 10 goals and six assists from just 16 games already, the velvet-toed 21-year-old continues to prove why he’s been labelled Iberia’s answer to Thomas Muller; taking and creating chances with ever-increasing efficiency.  

“I saw some games from last season. In our system, he plays plays in the centre. Last year, he orbited around Darwin Nunez,” Benfica coach Roger Schmidt tells A Bola of Ramos; more goals this season than across the entirety of 2021/22. 

“He is a player who works a lot for the team. Who presses a lot without the ball and who is difficult to stop for opponents. (His new-found scoring streak) shows the right timing and quality.”