Manchester United Transfer News: Sergio Ramos Wants Move, Latest Rumours

Manchester United are "close to signing" Sergio Ramos from Real Madrid for around €65 million (£45 million), according to Pete Jenson of the Daily Mail.

Sid Lowe of the Guardian reported that United have responded to Los Blancos' pursuit of David De Gea by revealing they want Ramos in return. Jenson now believes the centre-back has "told advisers" he wants to leave the club, with "Old Trafford his preferred destination."

Jenson and Lowe note a number of reasons for Ramos' alleged urge to depart. According to Jenson, Ramos was unhappy to see manager Carlo Ancelotti axed at the end of the 2014-15 season. Madrid also reportedly irritated Ramos by failing to tell the world he wasn't for sale when Barcelona presidential candidate Jordi Majo suggested that he was given the chance to sign him.

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At the heart of the problem is the lack of a contract coming Ramos' way. As noted by Jenson, Ramos is looking for a €10 million-per-year renewal on his current €6 million-per-year agreement. The 29-year-old has spent a decade at the Bernabeu and remains one of the club's most important players, but it appears he's feeling unwanted.

Spanish publication AS believes he wants to say goodbye:

Ramos is the type of defender United boss Louis van Gaal should be targeting. He's physical, dominant in the air and an excellent reader of the game. Ramos also offers quality in possession and can fill in across multiple positions if needed. Granted, his disciplinary record isn't the best—and he's prone to losing concentration—but he's a step up on the quality United's defence currently offers.

Former Red Devils midfielder Ray Wilkins thinks Ramos is trouble, per talkSPORT (h/t Audioboom):

It's important that Van Gaal and United don't feel helpless in Madrid's quest to sign De Gea. The goalkeeper has failed to commit his future to the Premier League club—either by signing a new contract or by publicly announcing his desire to stay—so it's important for United to stand their ground.

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They lost Cristiano Ronaldo to Madrid, and if they're to lose another top star, they must do so on their terms. Maybe Madrid would think twice about negotiations in the future if United effectively force them to swap Ramos for De Gea.

Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail reports that De Gea has told his team-mates he wishes to depart. His United and Spanish international colleague Juan Mata addressed De Gea's potential exit, telling Marca (h/t Joe Short of the Express), "From a selfish point of view, I would want to have him in my team." Even so, there's no denying that Ramos could solve a lot of problems at the club.

Valencia centre-back Nicolas Otamendi is happy to push through a move to the Theatre of Dreams, despite being Van Gaal's second-choice signing behind Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels, according to Squawka's Tahmeed Zaki (h/t Joe Mewis of the Mirror). The Argentinian would also be an excellent signing for the club.

B/R UK's Sam Tighe recently looked at alternative defensive additions for United:

The club can seize power in the De Gea saga by luring one of Madrid's top stars away. Although it's always dangerous to presume such a deal will go ahead—Ramos may be pushing for a new contract—the transfer does make sense. If Ramos wants a new challenge, now is the time for it.

It appears new Madrid boss Rafa Benitez has some decisions to make. Van Gaal will be looking to take advantage of Madrid's love for De Gea, no matter what.