It was back at the start of the month that the Portuguese media reported Nottingham Forest’s attempt to sign Gonçalo Ramos from Benfica.
At the time, it was claimed the Reds had put €30m on the table to sign the player, and the offer was turned down by the Eagles. Amid reports saying other Premier League clubs also joined the race, the City Ground side apparently left the competition and gave up on the signing.
The Portuguese press always said that Benfica would only think of a sale after they secured qualification to the Champions League group stage, as they were still to dispute the play-offs at that time.
The Eagles beat Dynamo Kyiv and are guaranteed a place in the tournament, but they’ve ended up changing their demands. Newspaper Record points out that Ramos’ price tag went from €40m to €60m, as he’s only leaving with a ‘mad offer’.
Nottingham Forest’s attempt to sign the striker is recalled by the outlet, as they were reportedly the only Premier League side who actually submitted a bid.
The other competitors who had the player on their ‘list’ were Newcastle United, Southampton and Wolverhampton Wanderers, whose interest had indeed been reported in the past few weeks.
The problem for all of them, including Nottingham Forest, is that they couldn’t offer Ramos a chance to fight for titles. That’s why the striker never forced a departure from Benfica, and the Eagles found little difficulty in holding him for another season.
