NEWCASTLE UNITED are unconcerned at reports linking Paris St Germain with Goncalo Ramos, and are set to press ahead with their pursuit of the Benfica forward.

Having retrained their sights on Ramos as they look to reinforce their attacking ranks ahead of next month’s transfer deadline, Newcastle’s recruitment team are preparing a formal offer for the 21-year-old, who scored against the Magpies in Benfica’s friendly win in Lisbon last month.

Newcastle are prepared to pay around €30m for Ramos, who has started the season in impressive form with three goals from his opening three games.

Benfica are understood to be ready to sell the forward, who is a product of the Portuguese club’s youth system and contracted to 2026. They are aware of the growing interest, and have already begun to work on potential replacements.

Newcastle are far from the only club to have inquired about Ramos’ situation, with a number of European media outlets suggesting that Paris St Germain have also held talks with the hierarchy at the Estadio da Luz.

The Magpies have already lost out to PSG once this summer, with their lengthy pursuit of Hugo Ekitike collapsing when the striker turned down the offer of a move to St James’ Park in order to hold out for a switch to the reigning French champions.

Sources claim the Newcastle hierarchy regard the current situation as markedly different though, as Ramos does not have the same emotional ties to PSG as Ekitike and has not previously expressed a desire to play in Ligue 1.

Whereas Ekitike was told he would have a good chance of claiming a starting spot in the PSG side, Ramos would face a huge battle to secure a place in the PSG side if he was to move to Paris. He would be in competition with Callum Wilson and Chris Wood if he was to join the Magpies, but he could also potentially fill one of the wide-attacking roles in Eddie Howe’s preferred 4-3-3 formation.

Howe is hoping for some progress ahead of the weekend, and remains keen to add two new signings to his squad before the transfer window closes on September 1.

Newcastle head to Brighton for their opening away game of the new campaign tomorrow, with the game providing Dan Burn with an opportunity to make his first return to the Amex Stadium since he swapped the south coast for St James’ Park in January.

The Northern Echo:

Burn lined up against Brighton on Tyneside in the second half of last season, but this will be his first reunion with the Seagulls’ home fans since in a £12m move back to his native North-East.

“I think and hope Dan will get a good reception,” said Brighton boss Graham Potter. “Our fans are fair, and understand he gave his best. During my time he really contributed to what we achieved – he’s a top person and a top professional.”

Potter also had plenty of praise for Eddie Howe, claiming the magnitude of the head coach’s impact can often be overlooked because of the perception that Newcastle have spent their way out of trouble.

“It’s been a really impressive performance,” he said. “Eddie has done a fantastic job. They recruited well in January and the summer, but the quality of Eddie’s work is often overlooked."