Manchester United Transfer News: Sergio Ramos Bid Plan Reported, Latest Rumours

Manchester United are reportedly preparing to go back in for Real Madrid centre-back Sergio Ramos and are "ready to bid £42 million" in an attempt to sign the Spaniard.

According to Calciomercato (via the Sun's Lee Astley), Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho wants to add further strength to his back line and has picked out Los Blancos captain Ramos as a key target.

United were heavily linked with Ramos in the summer of 2015 as former manager Louis van Gaal looked to bolster his shaky defence, per Sid Lowe in the Guardian.

However, he eventually penned a new five-year contract to 2020 at the Santiago Bernabeu and said that it had always been his intention, if possible, to remain in Madrid, per Astley:

"

There was an offer from United. I considered changing for a while, but Real Madrid was always my priority and there were no economic reasons. 

Did I feel cheated (by Madrid)? No, but I did feel disappointed for a while. There were some troubles that came to an end.

"

The fact that Ramos, 30, did at least consider departing Madrid before penning a new deal could give United hope that they can persuade him away from the Bernabeu.

He has been with Real for more than a decade and won three La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions Leagues.

As well as being Real skipper, Ramos is also the Spain national team captain, and he can be both a disciplinary liability and a major threat in attack, per Squawka:

Despite his idiosyncrasies, Ramos is unquestionably one of the best, most experienced centre-backs in the world.

Mourinho added Eric Bailly, 22, to the United squad from Villarreal in the summer for £30 million, and the Ivory Coast international has made a positive start to his Old Trafford career.

Chris Smalling and Daley Blind are the other options in the middle of the back line for Mourinho, and both are capable of excellent performances.

However, United still lack a true leader in central defence, and that is likely why the Portuguese manager is looking to Ramos.

Even after summer additions, United's defence remains inconsistent and communication is often a problem—as it was against Watford in their most recent 3-1 defeat, per BBC Sport:

Adding Ramos would go a long way to solving that problem, but having been snubbed by him before, it seems unlikely United will be able to snap him up if they do go in for him again.