Manchester United Transfer News: Fresh Sergio Ramos Bid Made, Latest Rumours

Manchester United's summer spending spree isn't ready to end just yet, as the latest reports claim the Red Devils have lodged another bid for Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos.

The Spain international figures highly on United's wanted list, and Spanish newspaper AS (via Mirror's Joe Mewis) wrote that a fresh offer of €45 million has been made, but Los Merengues are looking for €90 million.

Ladyrene Perez/Associated Press

In the wake of Iker Casillas' departure from the Bernabeu, Mewis added that Ramos is being lined up for the Real Madrid captaincy in a bid to prolong his stay in the Spanish capital.

Mewis also quoted Real President Florentino Perez, who hinted that a Ramos exit won't happen when speaking at Casillas' farewell conference, stating: "There are players on contract that the club does not want to let go and are not going to leave."

It's believed that Real Madrid will have to part with Ramos if they are to land Red Devils goalkeeper David De Gea, who is now in the final year of his contract at Old Trafford.

Alex Shaw of ESPN emphasised that United are playing hardball over their No. 1 after it was announced he was part of Louis van Gaal's pre-season squad:

United recently flexed their financial muscle with the signings of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Matteo Darmian and Morgan Schneiderlin, but the centre of defence remains an area in need of addressing.

Rob Draper of the Mail on Sunday hinted that Van Gaal's hopes may be waning, however, as Ramos settles back into the squad he won La Decima with just over 12 months ago:

A renewed bid for the player would show Ramos most certainly remains a priority for Manchester United, but their chances of signing such a coveted star are slim.

Ramos has become a key figure for Los Merengues since arriving at the Bernabeu from Sevilla 10 years ago, but United aren't giving up on his recruitment just yet.

Depay Comments on Bayern Link, Pep Guardiola

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Memphis Depay has revealed Manchester United manager Van Gaal was a big reason behind his move to Old Trafford, addressing rumours that had him linked with Bayern Munich this summer.

The Netherlands international completed a £25 million move to Old Trafford in June, but the Red Devils were far from the only team chasing his signature, he told German newspaper Bild (via ESPN FC's Mark Rodden):

"

There were discussions with nearly all the top clubs. And of course FC Bayern was one of them. But in the end Manchester United came out on top. I can't say who the best coach in the world is. There are definitely a lot of good and well-known managers and Pep Guardiola is certainly one of them.

But I only spoke to Louis van Gaal and he totally convinced me. He gave me the feeling that I was very important for him not only as a player but also as a person. And then it was clear that I would go to Manchester United.

"

Depay's 22 league goals last season will have impressed United fans as the forward took PSV to their first Eredivisie title in seven years, but comments such as this will only further enamour his new followers.

Despite the Red Devils' decline since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, Depay's decision to come to Old Trafford shows his faith in the club's current direction by shunning some of Europe's top teams.

The decision to reject Bayern is commendable, too, considering the Bundesliga champions are seeking successors to ageing wingers Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben.

Match of the Dave hailed Manchester United's initiative in sewing up Depay's transfer so early this summer, with Van Gaal clearly wanting to be reunited with his former Oranje disciple:

As Rodden's report mentioned, Depay has already earned comparisons to former United ace Cristiano Ronaldo, but he has said, "I'm a long way from Ronaldo's level yet."

That may be true for now, but the key word in that comment is "yet," and Depay's choice to join United over Bayern displays a strong commitment at the beginning of his Old Trafford tale.