Manchester United are believed to be considering a move for Real Madrid centre-back Sergio Ramos, with Louis van Gaal keen on bolstering his defence.
SEE ALSO:
Football fans: Five ways to survive BOREDOM this summer after end of club season, including FM & FIFA 2015
Man United: Nine signings Louis van Gaal must make to solve team’s problems including Real Madrid star and Liverpool forward
Chelsea clearout: 8 players set for the axe in summer transfer window, including Liverpool target
According to the Daily Star, the World Cup winner’s ongoing contract impasse with Real has alerted the Red Devils, who see a fine opportunity to sign one of the finest defenders in Europe.
The 29-year-old currently has two years left on his current deal at the Bernabeu, but isn’t keen on extending his deal, primarily because the Spanish giants are unwilling to meet his wage demands. The tabloid report that the defender is holding out for £10 million-per-year, and sees that as a price which reflects his quality and his value to the ten-time European champions.
The ongoing inability of the two sides to arrive at an agreement has piqued the interest of van Gaal, who believes he has a chance of acquiring the player this summer.
The Daily Star understand that a fee of €28 million would be enough to bring the former Sevilla man to Old Trafford.
The English giants are set for a major summer—full of both incomings and outgoings—as they attempt to return to the pinnacle of the English game.
The likes of Javier Hernandez [Daily Star], Robin van Persie [ESPN], Nani [TalkSPORT] and Angel Di Maria [Express] have been linked to the exit door, while Radamel Falcao has already left the club.
Memphis Depay has already arrived, and players such as Robert Firmino [Metro], Karim Benzema [Manchester Evening News], Gonzalo Higuain [Daily Star], Antoine Griezmann [Metro] and Nicolas Gaitan [O Jogo via the Metro] are just some of the names mooted to be joining him.
However, defence remains an area of concern for van Gaal—particularly if David De Gea leaves for Real Madrid. Question remarks remain next to the likes of Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo, with van Gaal linked to the likes of Mats Hummels of Borussia Dortmund [TalkSPORT].
It remains to be seen whether the Dutch coach could find a way of bringing Ramos to Old Trafford as part of the deal taking De Gea to the Bernabeu.