Manchester United interest in player ‘made known’ via agent – Club ‘refusing to enter’ negotiations for now

Manchester United have approached Benfica through Jorge Mendes about a deal for striker Gonçalo Ramos but been pushed away by the Portuguese side.

That’s according to Record, who say Benfica will not be negotiating for any of their players before the end of the season.

The newspaper states that Benfica are ‘refusing to enter’ into negotiations for any of the players currently at the club, including youngsters.

Their president, Rui Costa, wants all players to be focused on the end of the season and the objective to be fulfilled between now and the end of the season. Only at that point will he then sit down to study bids.

That was the explanation given to Jorge Mendes, who ‘made known’ the interest of Manchester United in Ramos.

They have had their eye on the Portuguese striker for several months because they ‘feel the need’ to sign a striker for their forward line in the summer.

However, Benfica have ‘closed the door’ on talks with Erik ten Hag and his team for now, preferring to keep their players focused on the league, where they are five points ahead, and the Champions League.

Indeed, Rui Costa has admitted publicly that he is dreaming of a place in the Champions League final as that would ‘lead to the valorisation’ of assets such as Ramos ahead of the summer.

He is already protected by a €120m release clause and it seems Costa is hoping that some more excellent performances from him and a Champions League run will convince someone like Manchester United to pay it.