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Sergio Ramos to Manchester United: Louis van Gaal hasn't given up hope as United demand Ramos and Keylor Navas for David De Gea

United will let De Gea leave if they get two players in return of £28m

Jack de Menezes
Wednesday 22 July 2015 09:09 BST
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Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos
Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos

Manchester United have not given up hope of signing Sergio Ramos this summer despite Real Madrid’s insistence that he is not leaving the Spanish club.

According to Spanish newspaper Marca, United have told David De Gea’s agent Jorge Mendes that he could still join Real before the transfer window shuts if Real cough up both Ramos and goalkeeper Keylor Navas, or €40m (£28m).

United have already mad serious moves in the transfer market to show their intent this season, and the club are confident that they can maintain a Premier League title challenge throughout the season after spending around £76m on new players this summer already.

But manager Louis van Gaal has made it clear to the club’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward that he wants to reinforce his central defence given the problems United endured at the back last season.

Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale in training for Real Madrid

It remains unknown what United’s first-choice centre-back paring is given that Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Jonny Evans, Marcus Rojo and Paddy McNair all suffered with injuries and dips in form, and it’s hoped that a move for Ramos will solve those issues and add a wealth of experience the side.

The move had appeared to be off when both Real club president Florentino Perez and newly-appointed manager Rafael Benitez insisted that Ramos cannot and will not be sold this summer, but the club’s desire to land De Gea might just force their hand in selling the club captain 0- who took on the armband after Iker Casillas left to join Portuguese side Porto.

But Spanish reports suggest that Real have already decided that United’s demands to sell De Gea are over-the-top and will not let two players leave as part of a deal to sign the Spanish goalkeeper.

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