Sometimes clubs just miss the boat.
Indeed, Newcastle United’s history is littered with sliding doors moments in terms of missing out on players. Luka Modric, of course, was famously close to joining during Kevin Keegan’s second stint in charge, while Zinedine Zidane was reportedly one who got away.
Now, there’s no guarantee Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos will go on to scale those kind of heights of course but a recent increase in valuation would certainly suggest he’s been backed to.
The Portugal forward famously scored a hat-trick at the World Cup against Switzerland. That, however, looks like no flash in the pan, with the 21-year-old having 17 goals in 22 games for the Lisbon giants at club level this season.
Newcastle’s missed opportunity
Which is why it’s reasonably frustrating to hear his past with Newcastle.
While that’s not to do eventual addition Alexander Isak a disservice, 90 Min have previously claimed the Magpies came close to signing Ramos last summer after holding talks.
Now, according to Football Transfers, the club are scouting him again. But there’s a catch.
They suggest Benfica value their player at £104m amid interest from both Newcastle and Manchester United.
That is surely too much money for Newcastle
The idea of Newcastle spending over £100m on a new striker only a year after Isak’s arrival seems far-fetched at best.
With the Swede in form and Callum Wilson also available, to break the transfer record once again in a reasonably well-stocked position just doesn’t seem likely.
That’s not to say Eddie Howe’s squad couldn’t do with another forward, it’s just that kind of money could surely be spent on a number of positions rather than just the one.
Benfica are notoriously difficult sellers too, making it even harder to imagine.
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