Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has agreed to extend his contract with the Spanish giants through June 2020, according to reports by Spanish daily Marca. Ramos had previously been linked with a shock move to Manchester United, and saw numerous bids for his services rejected.
Madrid boss Rafa Benitez remained adamant throughout the lengthy transfer saga that his player would remain at the club, despite rumors that the World Cup winner’s relationship with club president Florentino Perez had become strained.
Marca understands a meeting between 29-year-old Ramos and Perez took place on Sunday, where Ramos’ agent and brother helped negotiate a five-year deal worth around £6 million per season plus bonuses with Perez and club general director Jose Angel Sanchez.
For United, meanwhile, the developments represent a major setback in their search for a quality central defender. The Red Devils finished last season with the fourth best defense in the league with 37 goals conceded, behind Chelsea(32), Southampton(33) and Arsenal(36), but it is understood they are looking to boost that defensive record as they target silverware ahead of next season.
Ramos was thought to have been seen as a bargaining chip by United in an attempted swap deal that would have seen their star goalkeeper David de Gea, who has one year remaining on his current contract, go the other way. Both players have since started for their clubs in their respective pre-season tours.
The Old Trafford outfit may now very well set their sights on Valencia’s Argentinian center-back Nicolas Otamendi, whom they had also been previously linked with a move for. Otamendi would join his compatriots Angel di Maria, Marcos Rojo, Segio Romero should he make the move to Manchester.
