An update has emerged on Newcastle United's chances of landing Goncalo Ramos ahead of the January transfer window...

What's the talk?

According to The Sun, the Magpies target is set to be available for a fee in the region of £25m as a host of teams sniff around his services.

The report names Manchester United, Newcastle and Bayern Munich among the interested parties, with the Red Devils having already made contact with the player's representatives.

It is stated that he has a £100m release clause in his contract at Benfica but the Portuguese outfit are willing to cash in on him for £75m less than that figure.

Big Chris Wood upgrade

Eddie Howe must push to land a deal for Ramos in the January window as the 21-year-old has the potential to be a big upgrade on Chris Wood.

Football scout Jacek Kulig previously described the gem as "incredibly prolific" and his form for Benfica and Portugal justifies that comment.

In the 2022/23 campaign, Ramos has plundered eight goals and five assists in 12 competitive appearances in all competitions for the Portuguese side.

He had made his step up to the first team after producing 27 goals and nine assists in 55 outings across various youth levels, scoring 22 in 71 matches since making his senior bow.

The youngster has also caught the eye at international level. In 33 caps for Portugal at U19 and U21 level, he has found the back of the net an eye-catching 23 times - highlighting his exceptional ability in front of goal.

At the age of 21, he has shown that he has huge potential as he has been able to translate his prolific youth form into Benfica's senior team. He has plenty of time left ahead of him to hone and develop his skills and could be a terrific signing for Newcastle, if he is able to adapt to English football.

Chris Wood, meanwhile, has struggled badly in front of goal since his £25m move to St. James' Park from Burnley in January earlier this year. He has scored two goals and failed to register a single assist in 24 Premier League outings for the Magpies to date and has found himself behind Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson in the pecking order.

The New Zealand international has not offered much at the top end of the pitch and that is why Ramos could be a big upgrade on the dud. Wood, 30, is not an up-and-coming player like the Benfica gem, 21, and this means that the Magpies could improve their team in the immediate term and in the future by making this switch.

Ramos would also suit Howe's pressing style of play as he has been described as an aggressive and determined presser from the front, whereas Wood is distinctly average in this sense - ranking in the 57th percentile among strikers in Europe's top five leagues over the last 365 days for pressures per 90.