Manchester United are going to open the bidding for Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos with a £35m offer, reports the Daily Mail.
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The 29-year-old has apparently asked his club to consider the offer as their contract stand off continues. The Spain international has seen talks over a new deal stall, and has even told Los Blancos chief executive Jose Angel Sanchez that he wants them to at least consider any offers to sign him according to the Daily Mail. This is even if they come under his £180m release clause.
This move is completely independent of Real’s pursuit of Red Devils star David De Gea, despite the Daily Star claiming that United want a straight swap between the pair. Even so the Premier League side could use this situation to their advantage in the negotiations.
It has now come to the point where the Galacticos are looking at replacements for Ramos, and Valencia’s Nicolas Otamendi as well as Athletic Bilbao’s Aymeric Laporte are meant to be on their shortlist, the Mail claim. Pedro Riesco has added to the rumours about the defender’s departure, claiming that it is now almost inevitable because of how the club has treated the situation.
According to the Mail, he said: “With everything that has happened it will be very difficult for Sergio Ramos to stay at Madrid. Sergio is a symbol of this club. He has nothing to prove. But so many things are being said about him. There is so much manipulation to discredit his name via spokesmen who behave like puppets saying he is not respecting the club and that he is just a money-grabber.”
United looked short of quality in central defence last season, with youngsters like Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair thrust into the first-team picture all too often, while senior figures such as Phil Jones and Jonny Evans were not always convincing with their performances either. Based on Ramos’ achievements and performances throughout his career so far, there’s no doubt the experienced Spaniard would be a big upgrade in that department.