Chelsea planning £70 million swoop for Manchester United target after World Cup exploits

Chelsea are planning a summer move for in-form Benfica forward Goncalo Ramos, as the Blues look to add a brand-new number nine.

According to Football Insider, the 21-year-old Portuguese international is viewed as an alternative to Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, and Benfica’s price tag is expected to be around £70 million.

The Italian club likely to want closer to £105 million for their Nigerian forward, meaning Ramos will be the cheaper option.

Manchester United are reportedly viewing the Benfica forward as a back-up of their own.

The Red Devils have a long-standing interest in , but if their pursuit fails, they would also turn to Ramos as they search for a new striker.

Both Manchester United and Chelsea have well-documented problems up front, and both clubs will be looking to strengthen that position this summer as they look to challenge at the top of the table next term.

Chelsea’s striker woes and inability to get the ball in the back of the net have been one of the big reasons for the club’s dreadful league form this season.

The club currently sit in 11th place in the Premier League and have only mustered 29 goals in 29 games, fewer than relegation-threatened sides Leicester City and Leeds United.

Regular striker Kai Havertz has only managed seven top-flight goals so far, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who was brought in from Barcelona to ease to goal burden, has only scored once.

Manchester United also have reason for needing a new goal scorer.

Since Erik Ten Hag’s public falling out with Cristiano Ronaldo last year and the former Real Madrid man’s , the club have found themselves without a recognised striker.

Netherlands international Wout Weghorst was brought in on loan from Burnley to act as that replacement, but has yet to score a Premier League goal, which is far from ideal for a leading number nine.

Goncalo Ramos is viewed across Europe as one of the most promising strikers around.

This season, Ramos has netted 25 goals and recorded 10 assists across 37 appearances for his club, and the 21-year-old’s stock has risen dramatically with those numbers.

Chelsea and Manchester United are likely to be just two of a number of clubs eyeing up a move for Ramos in the summer.