Biggest Issues Facing Real Madrid in Final Month of 2015 Transfer Window

Rafa Benitez has the rest of the month to get his Real Madrid squad in shape before the transfer window closes.

After an impressive pre-season in which they won the International Champions Cup in both Australia and China, the coach will be confident ahead of the new season.

There are still some outstanding issues, however. Madrid are still trying to secure David De Gea from Manchester United, keep Sergio Ramos and decide what to do with Pepe.

The Ramos situation appears to be resolved. Florentino Perez met with the centre-back while they were in China, and they hammered out a fat new contract.

Ladyrene Perez/Associated Press

According to Marca, h/t Sport, Ramos will sign a new deal worth €9 million a year until 2020. Albert Roge wrote:

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The centre-back has reached an agreement with president Florentino Perez and will earn a little more than €9 million each season, with added bonuses.

This will put an end to the rumours he may sign for Manchester United, with the Old Trafford side previously stating their discontent about Ramos' decision to stay.

Ramos' contract was set to expire in 2017 and there had been moments of tension between his agent and the club. Their positions were miles apart but Madrid's chief eventually righted the situation and ensured one of the key pillars of the team would stay in place.

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But the resolution of the Ramos situation will only further complicate a De Gea deal, given Manchester United were hoping to land the star as part of a possible exchange.

On Monday, the front page of Marca read: “De Gea week” with the Spanish newspaper saying Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal expects the stopper to move to the Santiago Bernabeu and hopes it happens as quickly as possible.

Marca added, however, that the club is at odds with their coach on the matter of De Gea, and they are demanding €40 million for the goalkeeper.

Kamil Krzaczynski/Associated Press

De Gea, for his part, will not be looking forward to potential whistles and abuse from his own supporters as the Premier League kicks off on Saturday, with United hosting Tottenham.

A new matter stemming from the Ramos situation is the future of his centre-back partner Pepe, which is in doubt.

At 32, the Portuguese centre-back has one year left on his contract. Per Sport, the club are unlikely to renew his deal, with Ramos set to stay and Raphael Varane ready for more football.

That means he might consider leaving the club this summer to secure a final big contract before he retires.

Theo Karanikos/Associated Press

Having secured the signing of Jesus Vallejo from Real Zaragoza, Madrid’s defence is in good shape for the future, but a potential Pepe departure would create a hole.

Beyond that, there is the threat that Arsenal could move for Karim Benzema, but that seems less likely every day, with Arsene Wenger dismissing the idea at the weekend.

Per ESPN FC he said: “No, nothing is happening. Honestly, no. I don't know who brings that up. Is it Spanish media or English media? I don't know.”

Some Real Madrid fans would like to see their side push on and add more players, but the club have been quiet on that front, and unless Perez springs a surprise move, De Gea may be the last signing for them this summer.