Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest Sergio Ramos and Radja Nainggolan Rumours

In one of the most peculiar transfer stories of the summer so far, Real Madrid centre-back Sergio Ramos reportedly offered himself to a Barcelona presidential candidate as a “secret weapon.”

According to Jordi Majo, who will be running for the top job at the Camp Nou in the coming week, the Spanish international was willing to be used as part of his pre-election campaign. But Majo has told reporters that it’s not something he was willing to entertain:

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Ramos offered himself to us a while ago as an election secret weapon. I do not know if he was offered to anyone else.

But we are not playing that game. We will not be used by Sergio Ramos and his brother [agent] to lift his standing at Real Madrid. In our case, this is totally discarded.

...

We did not have contact with Rene, but with an intermediary who made us the proposal. For what we know, we feel it is an issue of possible mutual interest between them and a candidate. I do not know anything else.

"

As noted by ESPN FC, one of the key factors in Real Madrid president Florentino Perez being elected as the Los Blancos president in 2000 was the promise of bringing Luis Figo from Catalonia to the capital. But the invective the Portuguese was subjected to would surely be enough to make anyone think twice about trading allegiances between these two eternal enemies ever again.

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Spanish football expert Rafael Hernandez thinks that there is probably some truth to these claims, stating that some underhanded tactics may be being deployed to expedite and enrich Ramos' own contract situation:

The defender’s current deal with the Spanish giants expires in 2017, and reports about talks breaking down have prompted links to Premier League teams, including Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, per Ben Jefferson of the Daily Express.

However, a move to Barcelona is surely an unfeasible proposition for a man so entrenched in Real’s history.

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Indeed, as noted by Peter McVitie of Goal.com, the player’s brother and agent, Rene, has made his stance on the matter abundantly clear: “Sergio Ramos will never play for Barca.”

That’s no surprise at all. The Spaniard remains one of the best central defenders in the world, one of the most experienced players in the Real Madrid squad and will surely only have desires to enhance his reputation as a Los Blancos legend.

It certainly serves as a reminder that when elections loom in Madrid and Barcelona, bold claims should be taken with a pinch of salt.

Nainggolan Open to Real Madrid Switch

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The agent of Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan has claimed that the player is likely to remain in Serie A beyond this summer unless Real Madrid make a move for the Belgian.

Nainggolan was superb at the heart of the Giallorossi midfield last season, turning in a string of dynamic and determined displays. As noted by David Wright of the Daily Express, the player is part-owned by Cagliari and the capital club are hoping to strike a deal to purchase the 27-year-old in full.

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Nainggolan’s agent, Ludovico Spinosi, has admitted he expects that deal to go ahead unless the Spanish giants do come in for his client, per IlSussidiario.net (h/t Wright’s piece):

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I believe Nainggolan will stay at Roma, but things can change when it comes to Real Madrid.

[Roma President James] Pallotta knows that Nainggolan is very important to Roma and may receive several offers for the player.

He’s aware of Real Madrid, but it doesn’t mean that Nainggolan has already signed for Real Madrid and is flying out to Spain.

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Nainggolan, who is also linked with Manchester United and Liverpool in the aforementioned article, would certainly fit in with the principles of new Real boss Rafael Benitez.

He’s a pragmatic midfield man who would add renewed fortitude to the nexus of this Los Blancos side. Aside from his defensive instincts, the Belgian is also confident in possession and can break lines with his bustling bursts forward.

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But as noted by Belgian football expert John Chapman, the player still needs to smooth out some rough edges:

But if Real do want to add some steel to a midfield which was pretty flimsy last season, Nainggolan could be a brilliant addition. Benitez typically operates with two holding midfield men, and the Roma star would potentially be a perfect foil alongside someone like Luka Modric or Toni Kroos.

Roma will be keen to tie up a deal for the midfielder, though, and given how important he has become for them, they’d be reluctant to sell.

It’d certainly be an intriguing decision for the player to make, but if Real did come in with a concrete offer and the promise of first-team football, the choice would surely become clear very quickly for Nainggolan.