Transfer Talk: Manchester United keeping tabs on Benfica's Ramos

The transfer window may be closed around Europe, but teams are looking ahead to the summer and there’s plenty of gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!

TOP STORY: Benfica’s Ramos on Man United’s radar

Manchester United are plotting a move for Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos, according to the Daily Mirror.

Talks are set to take place with the Lisbon club over a deal worth over €100 million including add-ons, with the Old Trafford hierarchy marking the 21-year-old Portugal international as a prospect for the future.

Ramos is enjoying his best season with 17 goals in 27 league matches, but it was his display against Switzerland in the 2022 World Cup knockout stages last December that saw more clubs across Europe begin to take notice — scoring a hat trick during a match where he was selected over Cristiano Ronaldo.

It is thought that he isn’t on manager Erik ten Hag’s shortlist as an alternative to Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane, who is still be the Red Devils’ priority this summer, but as an additional option.

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09.03 BST: Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni says he doesn’t care where Lionel Messi plays next season as long as the player is happy.

Messi, 35, is out of contract at PSG in June, and his future remains uncertain. Sources told ESPN last week he will leave the club after two years in France, but his next move remains unknown and his father and agent, Jorge, denied reports the forward has an agreement in place to move to Saudi Arabia next season.

“Leo has to go and play where he feels comfortable, that his teammates and the club want him, that he feels good,” Scaloni said in Ole. “The country is not important, but that he feels comfortable in that club and the club with him. It’s all a communion, let him decide the best.”

Asked what was key for Argentina to win the World Cup in Qatar, Scaloni said: “Having Messi is the magic recipe, I won the title because of him and not him because of me, that’s the key. Any coach would like to have a player like him. It would be necessary to put him in [the best] condition so that he can get the most out of his football, that he feels comfortable on the pitch.”

08.30 BST: Chelsea hope that Mauricio Pochettino’s imminent arrival as the club’s new manager will persuade N’Golo Kante to stay, reports the Daily Telegraph.

Kante, 32, is out of contract in the summer and so far has failed to agree terms to extend his deal.

The report says that Chelsea opened negotiations after Graham Potter was sacked as coach, and that Kante has an appreciation of Pochettino’s methods.

The midfielder was linked with Paris Saint-Germain earlier in this season, of which Kante has missed much of through injury.

PAPER GOSSIP

– Barcelona are set to make a final offer for Fiorentina defensive midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, says Sport. The Blaugrana are prioritising a move for a player who can play in the pivot role this summer, with Amrabat said to be their priority option if they can agree to a fee with La Viola, but they are not willing to offer more than €25m. It is reported that the Serie A side will first see whether they can acquire a higher fee by offering the Morocco international to Premier League clubs.

– Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen are interested in Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka, reveals the Daily Mirror. The 30-year-old, who impressed in Germany’s top flight with Borussia Monchengladbach, will enter the final year of his contract in June, and manager Xabi Alonso is hopeful that the Gunners will be willing to part ways with him. Xhaka has been in excellent form in Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge this season, having scored seven goals while assisting another five in 34 matches.

– Liverpool have identified Hannover goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler as a backup option, writes Bild. With uncertainty emerging over the future of Caoimhin Kelleher, the report indicates that the Reds are moving quickly to find a potential successor. Zieler, 34, will enter the final year of his contract in the summer, with Hannover yet to offer him extended terms. Zieler came through the youth ranks at Manchester United but didn’t make a senior appearance.

– An agreement is close between AC Milan and forward Rafael Leao over a new contract, reports Gianluca Di Marzio. Recent talks were positive and the 23-year-old Portugal international is set to sign terms to remain at San Siro beyond the summer of 2024. Leao has previously been linked with Chelsea and Real Madrid, but his new contract doesn’t rule out a summer move, it just means Milan will get a higher transfer fee.

– Arsenal are set to reward goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale for his performances this season with a new contract, reports the Times. Talks are believed to be at an advanced stage with the 24-year-old, who has established himself as the Gunners’ No. 1 since arriving from Sheffield United in the summer of 2021.