Chelsea ‘scouting mission’ comes up trumps as Blues ponder Ramos move

Lampard says Chelsea return was 'easy decision'

Benfica star Goncalo Ramos ensured that Chelsea’s reported scouting mission to watch him was worthwhile on Friday evening. The forward put his side ahead with a thumping header in the 10th minute against Porto, in a pice of play that Todd Boehly certainly will have enjoyed.

Ramos has been in flying form so far this season, scoring 18 goals in 23 Primeira Liga appearances and confirming himself as one of the brightest young talents in Europe.

Manchester United were heavily linked with the 21-year-old previously, though Chelsea have emerged as a likely contender to secure his signature once the summer transfer window opens. Reports circulated earlier this week that Blues scouts would be attending the Estadio da Luz to watch the forward on Friday – and he certainly gave them something to ponder.

Ramos made an instant impact when he rose the highest in a crowded penalty area to open the scoring against Porto with a powerful header, though there were suggestions that the strike was ruled as an own goal due to the effort bouncing off of goalkeeper Diogo Costa before crossing the line.

The goal embodied a lot of attributes that Chelsea have lacked in the final third this season, namely due to their absence of a true No 9. Joao Felix and Kai Havertz have both led the line for the Blues this season, though both have thrived previously when deployed behind a striker rather than being the focal point of attacks themselves.

Given the high level of interest in Ramos, Benfica are expected to price the forward accordingly. The Portuguese side have previously pointed to his £105million release clause as a way for interested parties to open talks with the club, though there are suggestions that £70m would test their resolve once the season concludes.

Ramos’ link up play also caught the eye against Porto, with his willingness to run the channels as well as hold up the ball and bring teammates into the game – which also will have caught the eye of Chelsea scouts potentially attending given the plethora of attacking talent in their ranks.

United will also have been pleased with the performance of their target, with it still unclear which striker they will pursue at the end of the season. Erik ten Hag is desperate to sign a marquee forward and has shortlisted both Napoli forward Victor Osimhen and Tottenham star Harry Kane as options, though both players will not come cheaply and the Red Devils have other areas of their squad that they are keen to invest transfer funds into as well.

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