Jorge Mendes is looking to cash in on Goncalo Ramos’ stunning performance in Portugal’s win over Switzerland.
Ramos scored a hat-trick in the 6-1 win on Tuesday after manager Fernando Santos made the contentious call to drop captain Cristiano Ronaldo to the bench. The 21-year-old showed remarkable composure in front of goal, blasting in from a tight angle, getting on the end of a near-post cross and chipping the goalkeeper one-on-one.
While the vast majority of the discussion since that match has focused on Ronaldo, after he didn’t start a tournament match for Portugal for the first time since 2008, there has also been increased interest in Ramos. The young Benfica striker was the subject of some transfer interest - including from Premier League clubs over the summer – and that is only likely to continue now.
Sport reports that Mendes, who also represents Ronaldo, has already picked up his activity over the past few days and hopes to ensure Ramos follows the likes of Darwin Nunez, Joao Felix, Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo and Bernardo Silva is becoming a big sale for Benfica.
Ramos, it's claimed, came close to joining Barcelona in the summer, only for circumstances to conspire against him. Mendes put forward Ramos’ name to the Spanish giants after they sold Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Chelsea, but their failure to offload Memphis Depay meant the deal wasn’t viable.
Barca would now find the deal much harder to complete, given the impact of financial fair play rules – and the increased profile of Ramos. He has now ‘aroused the interest’ of Premier League sides, with his hat-trick helping his transfer value skyrocket, while PSG are also admirers.
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Ramos has 17 goals and provided seven assists in 24 games across all competitions for Benfica this season, showing his World Cup impact is not just a flash in the pan. He was strongly linked with a move to Southampton in August.
As ever, Mendes is a busy man ahead of the January transfer window. The Portuguese agent is also trying to find a new home for his most famous client after he saw his Manchester United contract terminated last month.
Ronaldo has received huge-money offers from Saudi Arabian clubs, but is holding out for interest from European clubs who can offer him Champions League football. Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Nassr are willing to pay him a whopping £173m per year.
The 37-year-old is currently focused on Portugal’s quarter-final against Morocco at the World Cup on Friday. His future will become clearer after the tournament finishes on December 18.
