Newcastle United and Goncalo Ramos talks revealed amid World Cup hat-trick

The whole footballing world is talking about Goncalo Ramos following his World Cup hat-trick against Switzerland - but Newcastle United have been aware of the Benfica striker for some time now.

The Magpies were understood to have held discussions over the 21-year-old in the summer after he played against Eddie Howe’s side in the 3-2 Eusebio Cup defeat in Lisbon during pre-season.

At one point, following another hat-trick against FC Midtjylland in a Champions League qualifier, a £25million bid was rumoured among the Portuguese press but Ramos ultimately stayed put and United completed a club-record move for Alexander Isak.

Those links were quickly revisited by some Newcastle supporters on social media last night as Ramos starred against Fabian Schar’s Switzerland. One fan account even tweeted: “Aye, let’s go back in for Goncalo Ramos.”

Following such a standout performance, it’s fair to assume Ramos’ price has just been doubled, if not trebled, by Benfica, who have watched the player step up after losing Darwin Nunez to Liverpool.

Ramos already has 17 goals in 24 appearances for club and country this season and 21 years and 169 days old, has become the youngest player to score a World Cup hat-trick since Hungary’s Florian Albert in 1962.

“Not even in my wildest dreams did I think of making my first start in a World Cup knockout game and scoring three goals but we have to think game-by-game and prepare for the game (against Morocco),” Ramos said. “The result doesn’t matter now, we’re going to go all out in the next game.”