Manchester United will have to trigger Goncalo Ramos‘ release clause to sign him in January, says Benfica president Rui Costa.
Erik ten Hag confirmed after United’s mid-World Cup friendly defeat to Real Betis that the Red Devils “will do everything in our power” to sign a striker in the January transfer window.
Following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, the Dutchman’s options upfront look somewhat threadbare heading into the second half of the 2022-23 campaign.
Anthony Martial has returned to fitness, but with the Frenchman suffering three different injuries since the former Ajax manager took the reins at Old Trafford, the 52-year-old cannot afford to rely on his number nine to stay injury free from now until June.
Manchester United will have to trigger Goncalo Ramos’ release clause to sign him in January
Alongside Cody Gakpo, Ramos has been linked with a move to the Theatre of Dreams next month.
After scoring a hat-trick on his World Cup debut after being given the nod to start over Ronaldo, Ramos could well be identified as the man to replace the five-time Ballon d’Or winner for club and country.
Ramos has scored 14 goals for Benfica this season having stepped up to become the Portuguese giants’ main man following the big money departure of Darwin Nunez.
But with Benfica top of the Portuguese top-flight having dropped just two points all season and with a Champions League last-16 tie against Club Brugge on the horizon having qualified top of their group after ousting Juventus and Paris Saint Germain – Rui Costa says the Lisbon-based side have no intention of letting any of their stars go in the January transfer window.
(@goncaloramos88)Speaking via Correio de Manha, the Portuguese legend said: “We have the sole objective of having a winning season, no player will leave – unless it is due to the clause – which at this moment is fundamental for the squad.
“What I can promise our supporters is what I did at the beginning of the year. This is a sporting project, not a financial one.
“Fortunately, we are not experiencing financial problems and we have no need to sell players.”
According to the Manchester Evening News, Ramos’ release clause is worth €120million (£103m).
Having splashed a record amount during the summer transfer window, it’s nigh on impossible that the Glazers will fork out over £100m to trigger Ramos release clause in January regardless of the money saved by Ronaldo no longer being on the wage bill.
Ramos is under contract at Benfica until 2026 but given Rui Costa’s comments, a move for the Portuguese superstar will have to likely wait until the summer.
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