Manchester United are set to approach Benfica about a January move for their young starlet Goncalo Ramos. 

The 21-year-old striker burst on to the global scene at the World Cup when netting a stunning hat-trick for Portugal against Switzerland in the last 16.

ESPN suggest the Red Devils see the 6ft 1in marksman as a possible replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, who left the club by mutual consent last month.

Erik ten Hag has told Old Trafford chiefs that a replacement forward option is desperately required and the hunt has already begun for an attacker open-minded on a winter switch.

AC Milan ace Rafael Leao and Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix have both been linked with United in recent weeks.

However, due to overspending last summer and the ongoing financial pain of the coronavirus pandemic, how much cash Ten Hag will have to spend remains unclear.

Ramos, who has 14 goals in 21 appearances for Benfica this term, is unlikely to come cheap.

Reports suggest that Paris Saint-Germain were unwilling to meet a price tag just shy of £40million last summer — a figure that has likely risen steeply in recent weeks.

Ramos has a £103.5m release clause in his current contract but the Red Devils have no intention of tabling a bid that high.

In other news

L’Equipe say Leicester will pip Barcelona and Sevilla to the signing of 22-year-old Morocco midfielder Azzedine Ounahi, with current club Angers demanding £38m following his World Cup exploits.

Spainsh outlet AS believe Real Madrid are ready to move for Manchester United target Cody Gakpo, with the PSV Eindhoven star, 23, seen as a long-term replacement for Karim Benzema.

Chelsea will face competition from Manchester United and Liverpool to land Borussia Dortmund youngster Youssoufa Moukoko according to The Times, with the 18-year-old unwilling to warm the bench.