David De Gea to Real Madrid: Manchester United to delay talks with enquiries for Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema

United are believed to be trying to make life as difficult as possible for Real in their attempt to sign De Gea

Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo (Getty Images)

Manchester United's interest in Sergio Ramos appears to have spread to his Real Madrid team-mates after reports suggested officials at Old Trafford will make multiple enquiries as part of the deal to sell David De Gea.

De Gea appears to have his heart set on a move back to Spain in order to join Real this summer, with the 24-year-old holding out on signing a new contract in the hope that United will decide to cash in before his contract runs out.

While the prospect of De Gea heading to the Santiago Bernabeu appears inevitable, United are determined to make the deal as difficult as possible in the hope of putting Real off for at least another year.

The Daily Mail claims that having already made Ramos their prime target in order to strengthen their defence, United could also bring up the possibility of signing Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, Real’s superstar duo who remain the two most expensive footballers in world football. Other names that could crop up in negotiations include Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, Raphael Varane and Dani Carvajal.

It’s unlikely that any one of those players will leave this summer given their standing in the Real first team, and although Benzema would be the most likely of those to leave should new manager Rafael Benitez decide he doesn’t feature in his plans, Real are showing no signs of bringing a striker in this summer with Benitez believed to be keen to play Ronaldo through the middle.

Benzema has been linked with a move to United (Getty Images)

Real chose not to sign United’s Javier Hernandez on a permanent deal after his loan spell in Spain last season, meaning that Benzema is their only recognised striker left among their ranks. The likes of Ronaldo, Bale and Jese can play in the position, but the club are unlikely to sanction any sale of the France international unless a world class player can be brought in as his replacement.