Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Ramos to snub PSG for Prem
SERGIO RAMOS is ready to quit Real Madrid this summer for the Premier League – as he doesn’t fancy Paris Saint-Germain.
Talks over a new contract at the Bernabeu have collapsed and that means Ramos, whose trophy haul includes five La Liga titles, four Champions Leagues, a World Cup and two European Championships, will be available on a free transfer in July.
He is entitled to talk to clubs outside of Spain right now and his agent, brother Rene Ramos, is targeting England.
The Spanish legend is unconvinced by a move to Paris and has turned down offers from Asia because his family are not keen.
There are, however, only a handful of clubs who can afford his wages.
Even at 34 Ramos will expect to earn more than £200,000 a week, and turned down a new two-year deal at Real when he was asked to take a 10 per cent pay cut.
Sources close to the player believe a move to Manchester City or Liverpool would be “very difficult” but no club is being ruled out.
That could alert Everton, especially as Carlo Ancelotti managed Ramos for two years in Madrid.
Ramos’ camp, however, are expected to target Manchester United first, amid rumours that Old Trafford is the defender’s first-choice destination.
United have shown by signing 33-year-old Edinson Cavani that age is no barrier and Ramos, who heard about life at United from David Beckham when they played together in Madrid, would bring great experience to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s defence.