Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Sergio Ramos and Lucas Silva Rumours

The main transfer saga of Manchester United's summer appears to have reignited with the news Sergio Ramos still wants to leave Real Madrid—after the Spanish giants once again failed to meet his wage demands. 

Aaron Flanagan of the Mirror says United have been given "fresh hope" of capturing the Los Blancos captain after it became evident Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has not met the player's €10 million wage demand. Perez is willing to offer Ramos €8.5 million, with AS and Radio Cadena Ser in Spain reporting the centre-back might still force a transfer. 

Ramos still has two years left on his current deal and was thought to have successfully negotiated a reconciliation with Perez over his financial wishes. However, this appears to be wide of the mark, with the club not bowing to the Spain international's demands.

Ladyrene Perez/Associated Press

The Manchester Evening News and Bleacher Report's Rob Dawson writes Louis van Gaal has admitted he is still considering signing a centre-back "as a matter of urgency," with the Dutch manager saying a superior player would be purchased if possible, with Phil Jones struck down with a new injury concern:

"

We have three (right-sided) centre backs, we have Smalling, Jones and McNair but if he [a new signing] is much better than them then it is possible. We go for the best players and it has to be possible. (Jones’ injury) was very peculiar because he had the whole week tightness in his calf and he kept training but we have a very good doctor I think because this doctor discovered a minor thrombosis.

"

Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press

Flanagan says Ramos wants £135,000-per-week from Madrid, and this figure would be well within the pay structures at Old Trafford. The riches on offer in the Premier League far outweigh those of La Liga, and Ramos might be tempted to cash in before he is too old to command such money. 

Ramos is currently out of the Madrid squad after receiving what manager Rafael Benitez called a ''hard knock on his right foot," per FoxSports.com, but his absence is likely to get tongues wagging once again. 

The defender appeared 35 times for his club in La Liga and the Champions League last year, per WhoScored.com and remains one of Madrid's leaders on the pitch. 

LvG's national compatriot Ruud Gullit says the coach will rue the opportunity to strengthen his defence if he does not bring in a major talent, per Jeremy Wilson of the Telegraph:

"

The only thing for me that has been a surprise is that Louis started with the roof. He needs to lay the foundations. That haunted him for the rest of the season. I always think that foundations are the most important thing. I still think they are missing those foundations. I don’t see still that he has some good centre-halves. That’s why Chelsea is one of the best teams. John Terry in the middle. Whoever plays with Terry always plays well. It’s vital.

"

United Eye Move For Silva

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

In other news, United have joined the race for Madrid youngster Lucas Silva, with Van Gaal said to be ready to gazump Arsenal and others for his services. 

AS (h/t Tom Conn of InsideSpanishFootball.com) say the defensive midfielder is likely to leave Los Blancos in the coming weeks, with Chelsea and Benfica also tracking the talented player.

Conn says the 22-year-old is not expected to feature much under Benitez and could leave the club either on loan or permanently. 

However, Conn says the three Premier League giants are not interested in a loan move, forcing Madrid to sell if a huge deal can be struck. 

The Ramos affair threatens to continue until the end of the window, with neither the player or Madrid confirming his long term intentions in the Spanish capital. 

Economics are likely to drive Ramos into the arms of United if Perez does not pay him what he wants, but it is still unlikely the defender will be allowed to leave Madrid while they rebuild under a new manager.

However, it cannot be denied that United are desperate for a new leader in defence, and as they proved with Angel Di Maria last year, they will pay over-the-odds if one of their primary targets becomes available.