Goncalo Ramos was not a name that many had heard of before the World Cup, but just three weeks later he is being linked with a number of top Premier League clubs. Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are all interested in the 21-year-old following his performances for Portugal in Qatar.
Although, it's difficult to label the interest arriving because of his 'performances' as it's one specific display that would have undoubtedly made several clubs sit up and take notice. Cristiano Ronaldo had started Portugal's three group games but following his actions in the final moments of their match against South Korea, Fernando Santos dropped him to the bench for their last-16 clash with Switzerland.
Not only was it a huge call to take Ronaldo out of the starting XI, but it was also a massive risk playing Ramos in his place, with him having never started a senior game for his country up to that point.
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However, Santos was vindicated in his decision, with Ramos scoring a hat-trick in Portugal's 6-1 last-16 victory against Switzerland. Ramos then also started in the quarter-final meeting with Morocco, but the north African nation followed up their shock win over Spain, by causing another upset with Youssef En-Nesyri's goal dumping Portugal out.
With no more games in Qatar for clubs interested in Ramos to perform a scouting mission, attention now seems to be on his club Benfica to declare how much they would demand if a club wanted to enter negotiations for Ramos or even if they would be willing to sell him in January.
Arsenal, Chelsea and United seem to have got their answer, with Benfica chief Rui Costa insisting that Ramos, along with the rest of Benfica's star players, will not be sold for anything below the value of their release clause.
"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," said Costa.
"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."
Costa ruling out a January departure, unless clubs paid Ramos' release clause which according to Correio da Manha stands at €120million (£103million), likely means teams may have to wait until the summer.
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