4 Possible Replacements Should Real Madrid Sell Sergio Ramos

Could Sergio Ramos leave Real Madrid? 

It seems possible, but the transfer saga surrounding the star defender is likely to rumble on for some time and remains extremely difficult to predict.

Tthe Guardian's Sid Lowe recently reported that Ramos told Real Madrid chief executive Jose Angel Sanchez he wanted to leave the club in a meeting at Valdebebas. A few days later, AS reported that Manchester United had tabled two bids for the 29-year-old, the second of which was a €60 million offer. 

According to AS, Real Madrid have placed a €90 million price tag on Ramos, with United continuing to play hardball with the Spanish giants over goalkeeper David De Gea. 

If Ramos were to depart the Bernabeu, who are the possible replacements?

We take a look across the following slides.

Shkodran Mustafi

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Being mentioned among the candidates to possibly replace Sergio Ramos is Valencia's impressive Shkodran Mustafi. 

After arriving from Sampdoria last August, the German became a permanent fixture in Nuno Espirito Santo's XI in 2014-15, partnering Nicolas Otamendi at the heart of Los Che's consistent and robust back four.

Blessed with strength in one-on-one duels, sharp anticipation skills and an ability to read the game, Mustafi was perfectly suited to his role in the sweeper-aggressor partnership with Otamendi, mopping up behind the combative Argentinian.

The 23-year-old made 33 starts in La Liga last season—the third-highest figure in the league among central defenders—and averaged 6.8 clearances per game—a number only beaten by Otamendi and Real Sociedad duo Ion Ansotegi and Inigo Martinez, per WhoScored.com. 

According to AS, the player's father has revealed Real Madrid have expressed an interest in the defender, while his agent, Ali Bulut, told Bild, "there have been direct inquiries from Real Madrid."

It must be acknowledged, however, that the Germany international doesn't possess the same explosiveness as Ramos and wouldn't represent a like-for-like replacement.

Nicolas Otamendi

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Though Shkodran Mustafi wouldn't represent a like-for-like replacement for Sergio Ramos at Real Madrid, Valencia team-mate Nicolas Otamendi would. 

Possessing speed, power in the air, ferocious tackling ability and goalscoring instincts at set pieces, the Argentinian is very much in the Ramos mould and would fit seamlessly into Los Blancos' XI if the Spaniard were to depart the Bernabeu this summer.

In 2014-15, the 27-year-old made the joint-most appearances among centre-backs in La Liga with 35 and led Valencia in aerial duels won, clearances, tackles, blocks and interceptions per game, according to WhoScored.com.

According to Marca, the Argentina international tops Real's wish list if Ramos departs, and he's made it clear he wants to leave the Mestalla. But as noted here at Bleacher Report, signing Otamendi would cause some headaches elsewhere for Real Madrid:

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Under UEFA regulations, clubs can only have three non-EU players. Following the arrival of Danilo from Porto, Real Madrid already have four in the form of the Brazilian right-back, Casemiro, Lucas Silva and James Rodriguez. Already, Silva looks the most likely to be forced out in the four-way battle for three spots, but Otamendi's arrival (the Argentinian is another non-EU player) would likely mean Casemiro has to depart as well.

Such a situation would strip Real Madrid of two players at one position (defensive midfield), forcing the club back into the transfer market for further additions when what Real really need is a summer of stability and a halt of the Bernabeu's revolving door of transfers. 

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Otamendi signed for Los Che in 2014 and has a buyout clause of €50 million.

Aymeric Laporte

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Another Primera Division star who's a candidate to potentially replace Sergio Ramos at Real Madrid is Aymeric Laporte. 

Just 21-years-old, Laporte has become a cornerstone of Ernesto Valverde's XI at Athletic Bilbao, and in 2014-15, he made 50 starts across all competitions, 33 of which came in La Liga. 

Most impressive in the Frenchman's game is his passing range and distribution from the back, seeing him become a key figure in Valverde's attractive and exciting outfit. Tall, strong in the tackle and quick across the turf, the young defender also boasts the athletic attributes to be a leading defender in Europe over the coming years.

However, luring Laporte away from San Mames will be an expensive exercise for Real Madrid, given that he signed a contract extension in June that includes at €50 million buyout clause and ties him to Athletic Bilbao until 2019.

Laurent Koscielny

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Away from Spain, another candidate to possibly replace Sergio Ramos at Real Madrid is Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny. 

At 29, the Frenchman possesses a similar level of experience to Ramos, having been a permanent fixture in Arsene Wenger's XI at the Emirates Stadium since his move from Lorient in 2010. His last two seasons in north London have been particularly impressive. 

Fast, agile, at ease on the ball and dangerous at set pieces, Koscielny would be a natural fit for Ramos' aggressive, front-foot role in the sweeper-aggressor partnership with Pepe.

According to the Daily Mail, the Arsenal man is being considered by Real Madrid in the event Ramos departs, and the Mirror suggests Los Blancos could be prepared to spend £21 million on the France international.

However, Real Madrid would have to consider Koscielny's recent injury history, given that he battled through chronic tendinitis in both Achilles tendons during the the 2014-15 season.