Aston Villa and Sunderland 'target' Ivan Ramis keen on Premier League move

Real Mallorca defender Ivan Ramis has set his sights on a move to the Premier League.

The 27-year-old centre-back, who came up through the youth ranks at local club Mallorca, has been linked with Aston Villa and Sunderland in the media and Ramis admits he is keen on a switch to England.

He was quoted as saying by AS: "This could be the ideal moment to make a change and the Premier League is a destination that appeals because I like the football there.

"I cannot say that things are bad here because I'm very happy, but it's possibly a step that I have to take to continue growing as a player.

"I want to have more challenges, more dreams, and to play in the English league would be an important step for me. I'd prefer things to be sorted out as soon as possible with regards to whether I'm staying or going."

Mallorca vice-president Lorenzo Serra Ferrer, speaking at yesterday's presentation of new signing Ruben Mino, confirmed there had been contact from a Premier League club but that no deal had yet been struck.

"I've received an offer from the representative of a Premier League club but we are quite far apart," he said.

"We're happy that Ramis has the idea and dream of progressing in his career. We've invested a lot in him and we know that he's a local lad, who developed here and who is very important.

"We're not thinking that Ivan has to go. The truth is that we wouldn't like him to go."

PA