Newcastle United prepare £33m bid as Magpies step up search for fourth summer signing

Newcastle United are preparing a £33million offer for Benfica forward Goncalo Ramos, sources in Portugal claim.

Eddie Howe’s side are ready to step up their search for attacking reinforcements with just over a fortnight of the summer transfer window remaining.

The Magpies strengthened their backline when they sealed deals for Matt Targett, Nick Pope and Sven Botman in June.

However, United haven’t made a signing since, with Howe & Co left frustrated in their efforts to bolster the attacking positions.

Newcastle came close to signing Hugo Ekitike before he opted to join Paris Saint-Germain. And ideally, the club want a player of a similar profile.

That includes a young and promising forward, who can learn from the likes of Callum Wilson and grow with the football club.

At 21 years of age, Ramos, who recently netted a Champions League hat-trick in a first leg qualifier versus FC Midtjylland, certainly falls into that bracket with the Portugal under-21s international.

If a fee can be reached, Benfica may, however, delay the transfer until after their second Champions League qualifier against Dynamo Kiev, according to Portuguese publication O’Jogo.

The first leg takes place this Wednesday before the return leg, six days later.

When questioned on his future on Saturday, Ramos said: “I’m at Benfica, I’m fine, we’re playing well. What matters to me is the Benfica”.