Manchester United Transfer News: Sergio Ramos Fee to Rival Cristiano Ronaldo Sum
Real Madrid will force Manchester United into paying a "king's ransom" for centre-back Sergio Ramos, according to Ruben Jimenez of Marca.
Jimenez reports Los Blancos will calculate the transfer fee by multiplying the annual wage United offer Ramos by the number of years he signs for. This method produced the €75 million (£59.7 million) fee United paid for Angel Di Maria last season and is something Jimenez calls the "Di Maria Law."
It is suggested United would need €100 million (£70 million) to lure the defender away from Spain, close to the fee Madrid spent on Cristiano Ronaldo (£80 million). This sum is produced when you multiply Ramos' potential €20 million per year salary (approx £14.2 million, £270,000 per week) by a five-year contract.
This isn't far from the €90 million (£64 million) valuation Los Blancos were previously said to have given Ramos, per Marco Ruiz of AS. Although United desperately need defensive reinforcements, manager Louis van Gaal would be grossly overpaying if he drops anything near this figure for the 29-year-old defender.
Ramos remains one of the best centre-backs in the world and a key figure at Madrid. The vice-captain is a big-game player—highlighted by his last-minute equaliser that led Real to victory in the 2014 Champions League final—and a player who has won every trophy worth winning during his career.
B/R UK's Sam Tighe recently looked at whether he's a realistic signing for United:
Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon believes the Theatre of Dreams is Ramos' only possible destination if he does depart. "I know Sergio has told the general manager to listen to offers they get from Manchester United," said Calderon, per Simon Stone of BBC Sport. "He only wants to go to United."
Even if this true, a huge commitment to the player's quality will need to be made by Van Gaal. The Di Maria Law makes little sense—each negotiation should be individual, not confined to a regimented formula—and could easily be surpassed.
What if United offered Ramos a one-year deal? Could they sign him for €20 million, bypass Madrid's want for cash and then get him to extend as soon as he lands in England? The so-called Di Maria Law pretty much forces the opposition to overpay. If this doesn't happen, the player could be forced to remain at the Bernabeu but on the club's terms.
Jonathan Wilson of B/R UK believes Ramos would be an ideal fit for United:
Van Gaal would be wise to launch an attempt for Valencia defender Nicolas Otamendi if Madrid are going to charge a ridiculous sum for Ramos.
He is available for €50 million (£35 million) and is "Real's top choice if Ramos leaves," according to Marca. The Argentinian continues to be linked with United, per Ben Nagle of Sky Sports, and should be seriously considered after an excellent season in La Liga.
United are said to have made a bid of this valuation for Ramos, reported by Pete Jenson of the Daily Mail. This is just half of the cost Madrid wish to accumulate if Jimenez's article is to be believed.
Adding Ramos' presence to the back line wouldn't be enough to push United beyond fourth. Improvements are needed across the defence and further forward, underlined by the side's inconsistencies last season. ITV recently compared Ramos' 2014-15 stats to those of United defenders Chris Smalling and Phil Jones:
Van Gaal must find a leader, no matter what.
It's likely a compromise will need to happen if Ramos is to leave, but United will become a laughing stock if they make him the most expensive defender in history with a €100 million transfer.
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