Reports in the UK press have suggested Manchester City are keen to launch a bid to sign Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos.
The 27-year-old, now into his ninth season at the Santiago Bernabeu, is able to operate in the centre and at right back, which would allow Manuel Pellegrini a host of options as he tries to sort out his vulnerable defence at the Etihad Stadium.
According to reports some Sunday papers in the UK, Ramos is keen to secure a new deal at the Madrid club, but wants a pay rise that would see him placed among the highest earners at Los Blancos. He currently earns a salary of around 5 million euros a year but is keen to be placed in a higher bracket of around 7 million a year.
But Real’s directors are not keen to fork out so much money, leaving the door open for the Citizens to test Carlo Ancelotti’s resolve. Big spending French club PSG are also said to be monitoring the situation with interest.
The ex-Sevilla man, who recently announced he and his long-term girlfriend are expecting their first child together, has a release clause of 46 million euros, and Manchester City are believed to be preparing an offer of around 40 million euros as a starting point.
Ramos has played 366 times for the club since his arrival in the Spanish capital. He has played for his country 114 times, and was part of the successful teams to win the World Cup in South Africa in 2010, as well as Euro 2008 and Euro 2012.
