Man United target Sergio Ramos wants to leave Real Madrid this summer
Sports
By
Mirror
| Jun 22, 2015
Sergio Ramos' Real Madrid future is hanging in the balance and Manchester United could use David de Gea as leverage to bring the Spain defender to Old Trafford.
The centre-back, 29, is said to be unhappy at the Santiago Bernabeu and wants to leave the club this summer.
Ramos, who has spent 10 years with the 10-time European champions, has two years left on his contract, but has seen talks over a new deal stall.
Los Blancos are keen on bringing De Gea back to La Liga this summer, and have already seen a £13million deal turned down for the keeper, who is heading into the last 12 months of his deal at Old Trafford.
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But according to the Guardian, a second move from the Spanish capital saw Madrid representatives meet their United counterparts, where they were told that the Red Devils want Ramos.
Louis van Gaal is keen on defensive reinforcements this summer, with Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels having previously been his No.1 target.
The Dortmund captain is keen to give new BVB boss Thomas Tuchel a season at the Westfalenstadion, before moving on, while Nicolas Otamendi is "desperate" to join from Valencia.
However, he isn't van Gaal's first choice and would cost a prohibitive £35million.
United chief Louis van Gaal may well see 128-cap Spanish international Ramos as the man to bring certainty to his backline, while his £82,000 (net) weekly wage wouldn't be a problem.
Reports in Spain increasingly point that the player wants out, with AS declaring that Ramos doesn't want to wait until his contract expires and is keen to leave as soon as possible.
It's reckoned Ramos feels undervalued by the club - for whom he scored a 94th minute equaliser in their Champions League final success over city rivals Atletico 13 months ago - despite over 400 games and a decade of service.
He was left further unhappy when official communication to deny reports linking him with Barcelona presidential candidate Jordi Mayo, wasn't forthcoming from the club and had to be denied by his own camp.
United likely won't be the only potential suitors for Ramos, with Manchester City and French club Paris Saint-Germain both holding a longstanding interest.