It seems that Manchester United came agonisingly close to signing Sergio Ramos earlier this summer.
Spanish broadcaster Cadena COPE claim that the World Cup-winning defender had agreed a £200,000-per-week contract with the Red Devils before performing a U-turn and deciding to stay at Real Madrid.
The Metro understands that Ramos has agreed a new five-year deal at the Bernabeu worth £8m per year, having previously indicated that he would like to be granted a transfer to Old Trafford.
There was a theory that the 29-year-old was using United’s interest in him as leverage to negotiate better terms with Madrid, but these latest reports suggest that Ramos did fancy a switch to England.
Louis van Gaal is now thought to have given up his pursuit of the Spain international, and may not bring in a centre-back at all as Chris Smalling is stepping up as the leader of the United defence.
Ramos staying in Spain could have repercussions on the future of David de Gea, who has been heavily linked with Real, but United were apparently only willing to sell if they got Ramos in exchange.
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