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As we read the Portuguese media today, we got caught by surprise with some claims regarding Manchester United’s chase for Benfica striker Gonçalo Ramos.

Newspaper Record features on Thursday a story about the clubs who are visiting the Estádio da Luz to watch the match between the Eagles and Porto on Friday, pointing out there are several sides interested in the national team striker, as well as Antonio Silva.

When speaking of Ramos, the outlet writes that he’s ‘appreciated’ by Manchester United, who, ‘a few weeks ago’, ‘even tried to secure the player’ for the next summer, having their attempt turned down by Benfica.

Unfortunately that’s all Record says, with the report not giving any other detail on how that move happened.

Now we wonder whether the Red Devils placed an actual bid for the centre-forward, or if they were advancing in talks to have some kind of privileged position to get him in the summer.

Either way, that was blocked by Benfica, who have the player protected by a €120m release clause. Record still points out that the likes of Brighton & Hove Albion, Chelsea, Paris Saint Germain, Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid are all interested in him as well.

Manchester United have been linked to Ramos for a long time now, but there were never reports about the Red Devils bidding for him this year.

The striker has an impressive record of 25 goals and 10 assists for the Eagles this season.