Manchester United to smash their transfer record for 'the next Cristiano Ronaldo': report

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag celebrates victory after the UEFA Europa League knockout round play-off leg two match between Manchester United and FC Barcelona at Old Trafford on February 23, 2023 in Manchester, England.
(Image credit: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Manchester United are ready to break their transfer record for a new forward who has been compared to Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Red Devils have been big spenders of English football over the years, splashing the cash to compete. In 2016, Manchester United broke the world transfer record when they shelled out £89 million to bring Paul Pogba back to Old Trafford.

The record has been broken since – but according to one report, United are looking to break their own record again this summer in a bid to improve their frontline.

Paul Pogba of Manchester United poses after signing for the club at Aon Training Complex on August 8, 2016 in Manchester, England.

Manchester United are prepared to pay more money for a player than they paid for Paul Pogba (Image credit: Manchester United via Getty Images)

According to the Mirror, Erik ten Hag wants to bring Portuguese goal-getter Goncalo Ramos to Old Trafford this summer, as well as Harry Kane.

Ramos could cost in the region of £100 million, thanks to his release clause. The 21-year-old is one of a number of sparkling talents from Benfica's production line and judging by the likes of Darwin Nunez and Enzo Fernandez, he won't be leaving cheaply.

Ramos has been likened to Cristiano Ronaldo in recent months and it has been suggested that the young striker could be the one to step into CR7's boots at international level – just as he did at the World Cup.

The Benfica star scored a hat-trick in the tournament when Ronaldo was dropped in the knockout rounds of the tournament. Now, a big move to one of Europe's top five leagues feels inevitable. 

Manchester United rumoured transfer target Goncalo Ramos of Benfica, pictured celebrating his team's second goal during the Primeira Liga match between Benfica and Vitoria Guimaraes at the Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica on March 18, 2023 in Lisbon Portugal.

Goncalo Ramos is on the radar for United (Image credit: Joao Rico/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

It is believed that United could be looking to bring in Ramos as well as Kane for depth in attack.

Ramos is valued at €40m by Transfermarkt.

More Manchester United stories

The rumour mill is ticking over when it comes to new faces at Old Trafford. Two Brighton stars have been linked, with another two Bundesliga players rumoured.

Three big names have been linked with exits, however, while James Ward-Prowse is reportedly on the midfield shortlistGoncalo Ramos is a target and Bruno Fernandes might yet leave

Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.

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