---
title: "Southampton: Dean Jones claims Saints could sign Goncalo Ramos"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/southampton-goncalo-ramos-transfer-rumours/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dominic Lund"
section: "Follow up"
published: "2022-12-19T18:05:29Z"
modified: "2022-12-19T18:05:29Z"
---

# Southampton: Dean Jones claims Saints could sign Goncalo Ramos

**[Southampton](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/southampton-fc-transfer-rumours/) ‘should have confidence’ about being able to sign Benfica forward Goncalo Ramos, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.**

### The Lowdown: Southampton’s Ramos interest

Back in August, [talkSPORT](https://talksport.com/football/1173681/southampton-goncalo-ramos-wolves-newcastle-premier-league/) reported that the Saints were exploring the possibility of bringing Ramos to the club in a deal worth £25m, after being impressed following a scouting mission in Portugal.

With the striker displaying his ability at the World Cup for national side Portugal, [netting](https://www.sofascore.com/player/goncalo-ramos/934510) a hat-trick and an assist in a 6-1 victory against Switzerland, Fabrizio Romano [detailed](https://caughtoffside.substack.com/) that Manchester United have now emerged as potential suitors, after watching him many times.

Given the 21-year-old’s links to a club of this magnitude, Southampton fans may have feared they’d drop out of the running, but a recent update from Jones offers a more promising outlook…

### The Latest: Jones offers hope

Asked about whether the Saints should still be optimistic about signing the Portugal international following their initial interest in the summer, Jones told [GIVEMESPORT](https://www.givemesport.com/88095775-southampton-transfer-news-striker-flattered-st-marys-interest):

*“Exactly. I think they should have confidence rather than concern.*

*“I think, in a way, a player should be flattered by the fact that this club liked him in the first place.”*

\[freshpress-quiz id=”410645″\]

### The Verdict: Get it done?

As reported by [90min](https://www.90min.com/posts/rui-costa-fires-price-warning-to-man-utd-other-goncalo-ramos-suitors), Benfica president Rui Costa has recently claimed that no player will leave this summer unless their release clause is met, which stands at a whopping £103m for Ramos.

While this could just be a ploy to drive the starlet’s price up, the Saints would unfortunately not be able to compete for a player in this price range, but if any opportunity is presented to sign him for a cheaper fee, it is one that should be taken by [Nathan Jones](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tag/nathan-jones/).

BBC Sport writer Raj Chohan has hailed the youngster as being ‘[unreal](https://twitter.com/rajsinghchohan/status/1600208202036977665?s=20&t=oOD27zC8P_JYDFX6LfYvig)‘, specifically for the way he stepped up to the plate in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo in Qatar, scoring three goals to send Portugal to the World Cup quarter-final.

The 6 foot 2 marksman has made remarkable strides this season, scoring [nine](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/goncalo-ramos/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/550550) goals in 11 league starts, already surpassing his total of seven in 29 last term, and he would be a massive boost in the Saints’ bid to avoid relegation from the [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/), but the deal still appears very unlikely, due to Benfica’s current stance.