Real Madrid Transfer News: Lin Liangming Deal Close, Latest Sergio Ramos Rumours
Real Madrid are closing in on the capture of Chinese teenager Lin Liangming, a transfer which is set to be announced during the Spanish club's pre-season tour of the country.
Alvaro De La Rosa of AS reports Los Blancos will stump up €300,000 (approx. £209,000) for the Guangzhou R&F player, who has also caught the eye of Guangzhou Evergrande and Shandong Luneng. Madrid officials will decide whether the player remains in China on loan or joins up with Castilla, their youth side.
AS tweeted an image of the 19-year-old:
The presence of Madrid president Florentino Perez during the pre-season trip will prove to be pivotal, reported AS. It is suggested the chief will meet with centre-back Sergio Ramos—who has told the club he wants to join Manchester United—to discuss the player's future.
United have lodged a €60 million (approx. £42 million) bid for the Spanish defender, per AS. Ramos remains a vital part of Madrid's success and an important figure at the onset of Rafa Benitez's time as boss. AS' report indicated Ramos and United have struck a "verbal agreement."
Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal isn't willing to let goalkeeper David De Gea join Madrid unless he receives Ramos and Keylor Navas or €40 million in return, something Marca suggested the Bernabeu club will never agree to.
Van Gaal recently made some difficult-to-judge comments on the player, reported Mike Keegan of the Daily Mail:
James Robson of the Manchester Evening News believes Perez's expectations may scupper a deal:
Ramos remains curiously quiet and is yet to address United rumours in public. Van Gaal desperately needs proven winners and players who can quickly deliver success at United. The Dutch manager has added Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger to his pack already this summer and appears intent on making sure another World Cup winner follows.
Benitez can call on youngster Raphael Varane—a player who has remained patient for first-term opportunities—if Ramos heads to the Premier League. The Frenchman has proven himself at the top level but needs a consistent run of games to nail down a spot in Les Bleus' Euro 2016 spot.
That said, Ramos is a natural leader and someone who has helped define Madrid's success over the past decade. Van Gaal knows what he's doing—comments to the press are designed to keep Madrid guessing—and he's unlikely to give up before the window closes.
United's defence was a key weakness last season. Ramos could form an effective partnership with Chris Smalling or Phil Jones, two players who would learn plenty from the combative 29-year-old. Ramos, as ever, has a huge role to play in the development of this saga.
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