Liam Delap’s decision to join Chelsea over Manchester United has shifted the focus of United’s transfer strategy this summer. Ruben Amorim, who wanted Delap at Old Trafford after the youngster’s standout season with Ipswich Town, is now assessing alternative striker options as he begins his squad overhaul.
Goncalo Ramos has emerged as a serious target, with intermediaries offering the 23-year-old to United following his fall down the pecking order at Paris Saint-Germain. Ramos arrived at PSG for £60m in 2023, edging out both United and Arsenal at the time. Despite scoring 32 goals over two seasons and helping PSG to a historic treble, he struggled for consistent starts under Luis Enrique and is now available for transfer.
Ramos also boasts an impressive international record for Portugal, with nine goals in 15 appearances, including a World Cup hat-trick in Qatar. With Amorim keen to strengthen United’s forward line and Ramos fitting the club’s youth-focused recruitment profile, a move could materialize swiftly.
United’s interest in Ramos comes as part of a wider shortlist that includes Viktor Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko, Hugo Ekitike, Jean-Philippe Mateta, and Aleksandar Mitrovic. However, Champions League interest in Gyokeres may complicate negotiations, particularly as United won’t play in Europe next season following a 15th-place Premier League finish.
Amorim, already bolstered by the signing of Matheus Cunha and negotiating for Bryan Mbeumo, has been handed a summer budget of £100m. That figure is expected to rise through player sales, with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony, and Alejandro Garnacho all potentially heading out.
CEO Omar Berrada recently confirmed United’s transfer strategy is already in motion, emphasizing a “clear and ambitious” plan developed in tandem with Amorim and technical director Jason Wilcox. The focus now is execution—bringing in the right players to rebuild a competitive side while managing spending prudently.
With Ramos and others under consideration, Amorim’s rebuild at Old Trafford is picking up pace. The challenge is steep, but United’s leadership appears determined to restore the club’s competitive edge swiftly.