Man United willing to pay release clause to sign ‘next Cristiano Ronaldo’

United could be close to securing a first signing of the summer window

Manchester United could be close to their first signing of the summer after Benfica president Rui Costa claimed that they are willing to match the release clause of the 'next Cristiano Ronaldo'. Gonçalo Ramos has been linked with the Red Devils over the past year and impressed during the World Cup, where he scored a hat trick on his first start for Portugal. United are in desperate need of a striker, with Anthony Martial the only senior striker still at the club after Wout Weghorst retuned to Burnley following his underwhelming loan spell. Harry Kane, Rasmus Hojlund and Victor Osimhen have also been linked with the club but Costa feels that it is Ramos who will be heading to Old Trafford in the summer.

Portuguese outlet Correio da Manha have reported that Costa has already turned down an offer of €50m plus €10m in add-ons from an unnamed club as Benfica hold out for €80m for the 22-year-old. Ramos' release clause is believed to be in excess of €100m. They also added that Costa feels United are the club most likely to activate the release clause, with Paris Saint-Germain also rumoured to be interested. The forward scored 27 goals and provided 12 assists from 47 appearances in all competitions last season. Related links:

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