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Report: Manchester United now set to make January move to sign 14-goal Arsenal target

Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
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Manchester United are now set to make contact with Benfica over a January deal for Arsenal target Goncalo Ramos.

What’s the story?

Well, Erik ten Hag feels the Red Devils need more attacking firepower after allowing Cristiano Ronaldo to leave Old Trafford, and the Dutchman has now set his sights on the Portugal international’s teammate – according to ESPN.

It comes after Give Me Sport revealed that Arsenal are also keen on signing Ramos.

The 21-year-old put his name up in lights recently after scoring a hattrick on his World Cup debut.

Ramos was entrusted to start ahead of Ronaldo in Portugal’s Round of 16 clash with Switzerland at the World Cup, in which he scored three to secure a 6-1 win.

Now – according to ESPN – Manchester United will enquire about his availability ahead of the January window.

ESPN add that Benfica were considering bids of around €20m (£17m) before the start of the season.

However, Ramos is now worth considerably more after his stunning efforts at the World Cup, where he truly announced himself in Qatar.

So far this season, the Benfica No.88 has scored 14 goals in 21 appearances at club level, while also providing six assists.

Goncalo Ramos profile

Full name: Goncalo Ramos

Age: 21

Height: 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)

Nationality: Portugal

Place of birth: Olhão

Date of birth: 20th June 2001

Club: Benfica

Position: Striker

Salary: £36,458-a-week

Manchester United or Arsenal must sign Goncalo Ramos now

In our view, there is no point in Ten Hag or Mikel Arteta waiting to sign Ramos, as his value will surely keep on increasing from this point.

Just look at Darwin Nunez, for example.

Portugal v Switzerland: Round of 16 - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images

After a stunning 2022/23 campaign in which the Uruguay international scored 34 goals in all competitions for Benfica, he earned himself an £85m move to Liverpool.

Ramos has already made his price tag soar with the aforementioned hattrick against Portugal, so the longer Manchester United and Arsenal wait to sign him, the more expensive he is likely to become.