Wolves are being linked with a move for Benfica youngster Goncalo Ramos.
The club are yet to do any business this month in terms of bringing players into the club.
Fans are starting to get a little worried, with pre-season now underway.
But there have been reports that Fabio Silva is going to join Anderlecht on loan, and that would surely point to a new centre-forward coming into the club.
And it’s possible Ramos could be the man, with Wolves and Benfica in talks over a potential deal.
But just who is the 21-year-old Eagles star?
With Benfica since 12
The youngster was born in Almodovar.
Ramos joined Benfica’s youth academy back in 2013 at the age of 12, having previously been at Olhanense and Loule.
He would make his debut for the B team in January 2019, replacing Nuno Tavares – now of Arsenal – in the 84th minute of a 3-2 defeat against Braga B in LigaPro.
Bruno Lage already knows him
Wolves boss Bruno Lage already knows Ramos well.
The 46-year-old spent 17 months as Benfica’s head coach, and had started putting Ramos on his bench towards the end of his tenure.
Lage never actually gave him his first-team debut.
That would come on 21 July 2020, shortly after Lage left.
But Lage is known for taking a keen interest in young players and giving attention to youth academy operations. So he will be fully aware of Ramos’ qualities.
He has international pedigree
Ramos is a player with big potential, and he has already represented Portugal at various different youth levels.
He’s played at every level since the U17s, and his goalscoring record for the U21s is fairly impressive. He has played 18 games and scored 14 goals.
Should he continue developing at the rate that he is, a senior call-up will surely not be too far away.
He has a massive release clause in his Benfica contract
Ramos actually has a release clause of £102 million written into his contract at Benfica (via Birmingham Mail).
The youngster hasn’t quite exploded like Joao Felix did before him, but it’s clear from this clause that his club rate him very highly.
Realistically, that clause will not be triggered.
Unless he remains at Benfica for 2022/23 and has the season to end all seasons.
He’s an industrious striker rather than a poacher
According to Football Transfers, Ramos’ best work comes from his ability to play in a pressing system.
He is not really a poacher. He is someone who makes life difficult for defences with his aggression and determination. He is also known for his spacial awareness.
Ramos tends to operate as a centre-forward for the most-part. But he is also capable of playing as a second striker.
He is also described by Football Transfers as being ‘naturally fit’.