Manchester United have had an opening bid of £35 million for Sergio Ramos rejected by Real Madrid.
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The Red Devils have been heavily linked to the World Cup-winning defender in recent weeks, and made an opening £35 million bid for the player on Thursday, according to the Daily Mail.
While Real have rejected their offer, Louis van Gaal is understood to be formulating an improved bid for the 29-year-old.
Speculation has been mounting that United have identified Ramos as their primary defensive target this summer [Telegraph], while the player, for his part, is understood to be receptive to a move to Old Trafford.
The former Sevilla man is believed to be unhappy with his lot at the Bernabeu, and is disappointed with the club’s response to his request for a renewed contract [Independent].
Feeling disrespected by the club, it is understood that Ramos has informed Real that he is looking to leave [Express], and is understood to have made United his preferred destination.
The player’s father is believed to be a United fan [Daily Mail], while the international defender is reported to have been taking English lessons in order to facilitate a transition to Manchester [Mirror].
With the transfer rumours swirling, the Independent forecast that Real would not agree to sell one of their key figures for less than £46.5 million, meaning that United may have to up their standing bid considerably in order to snare their man.
Ramos is not the only top-class defensive talent to have been linked to Old Trafford this summer, as van Gaal looks to bolster an oft-criticised defensive line.
Mats Hummels [Metro] , Nicolas Otamendi [Daily Mail] and Ramos’s Real teammate Raphael Varane [Express] have all been linked with a move to Old Trafford, and despite clearly identifying Ramos as their chief target, United may yet look to make further defensive recruits.