‘This is a sign’ – Southampton’s pursuit of £25million-rated Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos is good news for Ralph Hasenhuttl with target also been linked with Newcastle and Wolves

Southampton are exploring a move for £25million rated Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos, talkSPORT understands.

Saints are ready to beat their transfer record, which currently stands at £20m, to sign Ramos after sending scouts to Portugal.

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However, it's understood Ralph Hasenhuttl's men will have competition from other Premier League clubs with Newcastle and Wolves also being linked with the player.

Ramos has been with Benfica since he was a boy but the start of this season has seen him play a more leading role up front with Darwin Nunez leaving to join Liverpool earlier this summer.

The 21-year-old has made a bright start to the season, scoring five goals in five appearances in all competitions.

However, a deal may not happen until the final week of the transfer window with Benfica still to play the second leg of their Champions League play-off against Dynamo Kyiv.

Speaking on White and Jordan, Crook said: "Gonzalo Ramos is a Portuguese under-21 international who plays for Benfica.

“Three clubs mentioned in the Portuguese media; Newcastle, though I’m not convinced are going to see through their interest, Wolverhampton Wanderers who I know are certainly tracking the player although I don’t believe they’ve gone as far as holding talks, and Southampton who are the interesting name in the frame.

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“They’ve spent decent money already this summer. £50million, largely on young, up-and-coming players but they want a striker in between now and the end of the window and they’re trying, I understand, to get a deal done for Gonzalo Ramos.

“It’s tricky because Benfica are still very much in the Champions League, he scored for them last night against Dynamo Kyiv, so if he signs for them I expect it to be one that goes right to the wire.

“It might even be as late as deadline night, but this is a sign that the owners are still backing their manager.

“There was a story last week about possible dressing room unrest, but if they’re about to spend £25million on a striker then that suggests to me, as I’ve been told, that Ralph Hasenhuttl very much still has the backing of the Southampton owners.”