David De Gea’s transfer to Real Madrid hinges on whether his Spanish international team-mate Sergio Ramos is included in the deal.
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Guardian Sport have revealed Manchester United hold a genuine interest in Ramos and are open to a possible exchange deal with De Gea heading in the other direction.
United’s current number one has been heavily linked with a return to Spain for the majority of the season and he is widely expected to be a Madrid goalkeeper by the time the transfer window closes on August 31 and his departure could be softened by the arrival of Ramos at Old Trafford.
The Los Blancos vice-captain has two years left to run on his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu and it was reported last week that contract talks had stalled with the club [via Metro Sport].
This then brought about sensational claims from Barcelona presidential candidate Jordi Majo that Ramos had been been offered to the Catalan giants [via Star Sport] in a transfer that would have shocked the footballing world, although that rumour is was denied by the player’s agent [via ESPN].
It is no secret that United boss Louis van Gaal wants to bolster his centre-back options ahead of the new season and a move for Ramos would be the ideal signing.
The 28-year-old is regarded as one of the best defenders in European football at the moment and has been a mainstay in the Real Madrid defence for the last decade after signing from La Liga rivals Sevilla.
United struggled in that position last season as they failed to come to terms with the double departures of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic last summer.
Marcos Rojo is yet to convince he is the long-term solution in that position while question marks over Chris Smalling and Phil Jones still remain.