Manchester United Transfer News: Sergio Ramos Contract Demands Snubbed by Madrid

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is unwilling to yield to Sergio Ramos' contract demands, boosting the possibility of the Spanish centre-back heading to Manchester United, according to reports.

Hugo Cerezo of Marca believes the relationship between the pair has reached its "boiling point" and "could soon explode." He details this claim:

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Florentino Perez is adamant that he won't indulge Ramos's demand for a contract worth €10 million after tax every season. The club has taken such a firm stand before in these situations. Mesut Ozil and Angel Di MarIa ended up joining Arsenal and Manchester United respectively after very similar wrangles: both are now earning in the region of €8m a year, far more than was on offer at the Bernabeu.

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Ramos is currently linked with a move to United by Simon Stone of BBC Sport.

Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images

Pedro Riesco works with the player's brother and agent, Rene Ramos. He told Radio Marca (h/t Football Espana) that the 29-year-old defender's only choice may be to leave the Spanish capital:

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Right now, with everything that is happening, I see it too difficult for Sergio to continue in Madrid. He has become an emblem. There is little to prove what is being said about Sergio, which unfortunately is a lot.

There is manipulation, discrediting through unofficial spokesmen who behave like puppets, ensuring that Sergio doesn’t represent the badge, that he’s money-grabbing.

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According to Cerezo, Ramos' problems with Perez began when the defender engaged in "fiery clashes" with former coach Jose Mourinho. Ramos' decision to tell the chief that squad mutiny would ensue if Mourinho didn't leave is noted as a major point of frustration.

"This planted the seeds for what has now become a much bigger rift," reports Cerezo. "Florentino's other bones to pick with Ramos include his view that the centre-back has got too big for his boots and hasn't made a big enough effort to help Gareth Bale settle in."

David Ramos/Getty Images

Despite his annoyances, Marca notes Ramos is prepared to forgive Perez if he reconciles with the player, per Sport Witness:

United fans will be watching on eagerly. Ramos is a leader for Los Blancos as the club's vice-captain and someone who can dramatically galvanise the English side's defensive problems.

Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal needs to find multiple improvements at the back before United can progress toward being Premier League title contenders. Ramos wouldn't be enough by himself—nor would other targets Mats Hummels and Nicolas Otamendi, as reported by Jeremy Cross of the Daily Star—but he would be a tremendous start.

Cross suggests United want to land Ramos in a straight swap for goalkeeper David De Gea, who has been linked with a move to Madrid for weeks. Former United right-back Gary Neville doesn't think sending the stopper and cash to Spain for Ramos is a good idea:

B/R UK's Sam Tighe looked at whether Ramos is a realistic option for the club:

This story is moving quickly. United's need for a new centre-back leader and Ramos' desire to land a huge contract intertwine nicely, but it's dangerous ground for all involved.

Van Gaal's team have already been used as pawns in Dani Alves' successful attempt to land a new contract at Barcelona and won't want to become a springboard for the continent's best players to gain themselves an advantage. Ramos may be playing with fire at Madrid, but it seems unlikely the club will cash in on one of their best players.

Either way, something's got to give in what could turn out to be the transfer saga of the summer.