Etihad Stadium side set sights on Old Trafford target.
Manchester City are to enter the race to sign Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos, according to the Daily Mirror.
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Manchester United are keen on the 29-year-old Spanish international, and the Daily Mirror claims that the Old Trafford side have already seen two bids for the World Cup winner turned down.
Ramos is arguably one of the most accomplished defenders in world football and one can well see why Europe’s ‘elite’ would be interested in snapping up the former Sevilla man.
Real Madrid are digging in their heels and have demanded £64 million for Ramos according to the Daily Mirror, a hugely inflated fee given the player’s age and especially so given the experienced stopper is said to be in the middle of a contractual dispute.
Arguably, both Man City and Man United could benefit from a strong defensive leader. Chelsea, Arsenal and Southampton all conceded less goals than the local rivals, and Ramos has a mountain of experience from which to draw from, which could help them improve their solidity at the back.
Louis van Gaal saw senior central defenders Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans all go through patches of poor form last season, but were able to rely on keeper David De Gea to provide a very able last line of defence. They may no longer be able to count on the Spain international, however, with the world-class keeper having been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid [Sky Sports].
Manuel Pellegrini signed Eliaquim Mangala last summer but the French international struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League and the usually-reliable Vincent Kompany was also found wanting.
Former Man United defender Rio Ferdinand believes that Ramos is using interest from prospective suitors to help drive a better contract offer [via Goal.com] and as such, moves by the Premier League sides could prove fruitless.
Ramos moved to the Bernabeu in 2005 and has amassed 445 appearances over the course of his decade in the Spanish capital.