Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is considering a surprise move for Sergio Ramos, reports say. The Spain international’s time with Real Madrid is now over. And though Raphael Varane is a transfer priority for the Red Devils, they could go for his former team-mate as an alternative.
Manchester United are on the verge of signing Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho, bringing an end to one of football’s most prolonged sagas in the process.
And they’re now starting to look at landing a new centre-back, with Solskjaer unconvinced by the likes of Eric Bailly, Axel Tuanzebe and Victor Lindelof.
Varane, as things stand, is their priority target.
But Tribal Football have claimed Solskjaer is considering Ramos as an alternative, believing the Real Madrid star can end a ‘culture problem’ at the club.
It’s claimed the Norwegian believes his side are too easily overawed and lack professionals who can install a winning mentality to the side.
And that’s why Solskjaer is reportedly ‘considering’ an approach for the defender, who was on their radar during Louis van Gaal’s time in charge.
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Van Gaal thought United would be able to sign Ramos from Real Madrid back in the summer transfer window of 2016, at a time where Los Blancos were pursuing David De Gea.
But the Spain international ultimately turned them down to renew his contract at the Bernabeu.
The aforementioned report states that, for now, Varane is United’s top target when it comes to strengthening their squad at centre-back.
But with Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea also admirers of the 28-year-old as his contract winds down, signing him is far from straightforward.
Real are expecting Varane to follow Ramos out of the exit door, with the La Liga giants determined to use the funds to secure the signing of Kylian Mbappe from PSG.
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“Flattery from big clubs is always good as this is because you are doing well, but if the fans and my club want me.”
In his farewell press conference, Ramos thanked everybody at Real for their hard work – and insisted he’d be back one day in some capacity.
“I arrived on the first day with my father and my brother, I was 19, just a child and now I’ve got an amazing family of my own, a wife and four kids,” he said.
“I arrived here with my family and I leave with my family, who’ve always been there for me.
“Thanks to them for always being with me in the highs and lows, to everyone else for the respect and for sometimes just putting up to me.
“To the president [Florentino Perez], my coaches and team-mates, without you it wouldn’t be possible.
“Also the employees of the club. It’s hard not to look at you and swell up with emotion.
“I also want to thank the supporters, unfortunately it’s not possible for you to be here. You’ll always have a place in my heart.
“I hope the club continues to enjoy success. This has been a unique experience, I won’t experience anything similar, but I am looking forward to another chapter in my life.
“I want more titles and I look forward to playing for more years. This is not a goodbye but see you soon, because I’ll be back one day.”
