Manchester United Transfer News: Sergio Ramos Hopes Reignited, Latest Rumours

The Sergio Ramos saga is once again top priority on Manchester United's agenda after it emerged contract talks at Real Madrid have stumbled, while the Red Devils have lost out on Norwegian prodigy Edvard Tagseth.

According to Spanish newspaper AS, Ramos is unwilling to accept Real's offer of €8.5 million a season as he holds out for a €10 million (£7 million) annual salary to offer United a glimmer of hope in pursuit of his signature.

Ladyrene Perez/Associated Press

The report also cited radio station Cadena SER as reporting Ramos is concerned by the fact his club haven't contacted his agent since their pre-season tour of Asia.

Red Devils manager Louis van Gaal has been strongly linked with a list of defensive talents this summer, but ex-Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand believes Ramos is merely using his former club. He told the Sun (via Sport):

"I believe that Ramos has used Manchester United in order to get a better contract with Real Madrid."

Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press

Late last month, Marca (h/t talkSPORT) reported that United were willing to hand Ramos wages of £8.5 million after tax (€12 million), which would be a substantial rise on anything Real are said to be offering.

Van Gaal has already enjoyed a busy summer of spending in preparation for his second term at Manchester United's helm. Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe recently graded the Dutchman's business activity:

Ramos' current deal expires in 2017 and Los Blancos manager Rafa Benitez will undoubtedly be adamant to see the defender remain, having handed him the captain's armband for patches of their pre-season preparations.

According to Mario Torrejon of Cadena Ser (via AS), Los Merengues are hoping to extend the 29-year-old's Bernabeu stay for another five years:

With just under two years left on his contract, Ramos' potential departure may not yet be considered an imminent concern for Real, but the lucrative allure of England will be looked upon as an issue.

Meanwhile, it's a case of all or nothing for Van Gaal as the Times' James Ducker maintains Ramos will be the club's only centre-back target of the summer:

Any move for Ramos has become tightly linked with the future of Manchester United No. 1 David De Gea, with AS (via the Mirror) claiming Real are no longer looking to sign the Spaniard.

Should that prove to be the case, United's bartering chip to acquire Ramos may be off the table as both clubs keep up a stubborn stance over their respective Spain internationals.

Liverpool Land Sought-After Starlet Edvard Tagseth

There's less positive news at Old Trafford after it was revealed Liverpool have won the race to sign 14-year-old Norwegian midfielder Tagseth.

Norwegian website Tronder Avisa (via Daily Star's Alex Harris) reports the teenager will link up with the Reds academy in January 2017, when he celebrates his 16th birthday. Tagseth is quoted by Harris as saying:

"It feels good to finally be done with it and to decide on a club. I felt it was best club for me. I enjoyed myself best there. It's something I've dreamed about since I was little. It is particularly satisfying to experience it."

Harris claims Tagseth had been on trial with United, Manchester City and Everton before deciding upon Anfield as his next destination, although a lengthy 18 months sits between now and his arrival.

Until then, Tagseth will remain with current club Neset, who play in Norway's third tier, with Balls.ie dubbing him "the next, next Martin Odegaard:"

Liverpool were also linked with Odegaard before he decided to move to Real Madrid earlier this year, per Telegraph Sport and AFP. However, the Merseysiders have been more fortunate in their pursuit of this particular Norwegian wonderkid.