Sergio Ramos Contract Postponement by Real Madrid Fuels Chelsea Transfer Rumours

Defender Sergio Ramos is unlikely to sign a new Real Madrid contract before the end of the season, amplifying rumours he could be set for a move to Chelsea.

This is according to Spanish outlet El Chiringuito (h/t AS), who suggest Los Blancos president Florentino Perez has told Ramos he doesn't need to rush to commit his future to the club. While it's likely Ramos will stay—he is a leader on the pitch and extremely popular with Madrid fans—such a story will force many to consider life after his era at the Bernabeu.

Perez allegedly met with Ramos on Jan. 23 to discuss negotiations. As noted by El Chiringuito (translated by AS), "the Real Madrid president told the player that he should remain calm and wait until June to sit down properly to discuss a contract extension because he still has two years left on his deal (he is under contract until June 2017)."

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The report indicates "Ramos is still waiting for developments, but he remains relaxed." This is despite speculation linking him with a switch to Chelsea, a club who are said to have "made contact" with the player's agent, as reported by Anthony Chapman of the Daily Express. Arsenal and Manchester United are also said to be lurking, but Ramos is yet to provide any indication he wants a Premier League switch.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho worked with the Spanish defender during his La Liga-winning Madrid tenure. The two recently endured a minor spat in the press, however.

Back in November, Mourinho suggested Ramos "is not a doctor" after the 28-year-old made comments suggesting Blues duo Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa were fit enough to have played in Spain's matches against Belarus and Germany, as reported by the Daily Mirror's Darren Lewis.

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Ramos reacted, poking fun at his former boss by deliberately misplacing him: "I have absolutely nothing to say about Celta Vigo's president (Carlos Mourino)," per Tom Conn of Inside Spanish Football.

It's important to acknowledge Mourinho also outlined Ramos as a "fantastic player," as reported by Lewis, so it's unlikely this kind of exchange would stop him moving for the ex-Sevilla star.

Ramos is central to Madrid's success and received a show of support on Thursday when fans left a banner including his initials and shirt number on public display in the city. AS reported the banner's message, which was also tweeted by EternoRM (via Real Madrid Info):

Supporters can expect to hang on to many of their stars—including Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Raphael Varane—after Madrid No. 2 Paul Clement confirmed the club doesn't want to make major squad changes any time soon, as reported by Amar Singh and Ashish Sharma of the London Evening Standard: "My understanding at the moment is that the club and manager's very happy with squad of players—we haven't got a big squad. But it is a squad packed with quality and there are no current plans for ins and outs."

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Madrid have invested in youngsters Martin Odegaard and Lucas Silva this January, so it would be an odd time for the club to cash in on Ramos. He is the type of experienced head needed for youth signings to excel, jokingly hinted at by B/R UK:

Even if Ramos doesn't ink a new contract in the summer, his value won't start to dip until January 2016, when he enters the final 18 months of his deal.

The World Cup winner possesses the leadership skills and natural quality to be outlined as one of the sport's best all-round defenders. He is synonymous with Madrid's success and appears likely to enjoy future silverware with the club. Chelsea have the funds and might even have the desire to land him, but neither Ramos nor his employers suggest this is going to happen.