Everton ‘prepare to come forward’ with bid for £25m Newcastle United target

Everton are the latest Premier League club showing an interest in Newcastle United transfer target Goncalo Ramos.

The Benfica star has been in fine form this season by plundering his way to five goals in as many games.

Ramos, who found the net during a pre-season win over Newcastle, got his campaign underway with a hat-trick in a Champions League third qualifying round win against Danish club FC Midtjylland.

The 21-year-old added to his tally in the first leg of Benfica’s play-off round 1st leg win against Dynamo Kiev and opened his league account with the only goal of a narrow victory against Casa Pia.

He has shown his created side by providing assists for three of his side’s goals so far this season and his form has attracted attention from a number of Premier League clubs.

Nottingham Forest and Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly lodged unsuccessful bids for Ramos and the forward is one player under consideration by Newcastle as they look to improve their attacking options before the end of the summer transfer window.

Southampton were reported to have opened talks with Benfica over a possible £25million move earlier this week - but it is Everton that are the latest club to be linked with the forward.

Portuguese outlet Record have reported the Toffees have ‘joined the long list of interested parties’ and are ‘preparing to come forward’ with a bid over the coming days.

An injury to England star Dominic Calvert-Lewin means former Newcastle forward Solomon Rondon is the only natural striker available to Everton manager Frank Lampard.

Ramos is said to be on the former England star’s radar - and Benfica manager Roger Schmidt has hinted a deal could be a possibility if an interested party came forward with a suitable offer.

Speaking after the midweek Champions League win, he said: “When you look at Gonçalo playing, you can see that he loves playing for Benfica.

“It’s football, it’s a business, the market is open, we can’t be sure of anything, we’re just focused on the next game.”

Benfica are not in action this weekend as they prepare for the second leg of their Champions League play-off tie against Dynamo Kiev.