Sergio Ramos, it’s put up or shut up time.
The Spanish defender has gone from looking certain to sign for Manchester United, to being named the new Real Madrid captain.
What was, just a few weeks ago, the biggest transfer story in European football, has cooled off significantly, despite United’s increased transfer activity.
Ramos has yet to sign a new deal at the Bernabeu though, and, according to Spanish media outlet AS, United are preparing a final bid for of €60 million for the defender.
The club had previously offered €44 million for Ramos, which the defender reportedly instructed Madrid to accept. However, a move failed to materialise, and a stand-off has since ensued.
The transfer would make Ramos the second most expensive defender in the history of football, after David Luiz, who joined PSG from Chelsea for €71 million last summer.
Yes, that David Luiz.
United are also reportedly prepared to pay Ramos €55 million over five years, a salary almost equalling the club’s highest paid player Wayne Rooney.
Will Real or Ramos be able to resist such lucrative offers?
In other Manchester United, central defender transfer news, it appears Jonny Evans won’t be joining Everton. It has been widely reported the past few days that the Northern Irishman would be moving to Goodison Park, for €10 million, however Roberto Martinez has dismissed such notions.
“No, there is no truth,” the Everton manager said yesterday. “I can tell you that there is nothing on that.”
“I know I’ve always said that I wouldn’t be commenting on any of the names that are shared around but I can tell you there is nothing true in that situation.”
That settles that then.
Away from Manchester United, Arsenal are reportedly preparing a €57 million bid for Karim Benzema.
We know what you’re thinking, if you had a euro for every time you heard the Real Madrid striker being linked to Arsenal, you’d have enough money to buy him yourself and start him front for your local team.
However, The Sun are reporting that, with Rafa Benitez taking charge of the team, Madrid are looking to go in a new direction, and Arsenal are looking to capitalise, believing the 27 year old is worth the outlay, and is an obvious upgrade on on Olivier Girioud.
With Christian Bekteke on the verge of joining Liverpool, Aston Villa appear to be working fast to replace the striker. According to the Birmingham Mail, Emmanuel Adebayor tops Tim Sherwood’s wish list.
The pair worked well together at Tottenham Hotspur, where Adebayor remains, but has been deemed surplus to requirements. The 31 year old could be out of Villa’s wage bracket though.
Adebayor has a year remaining on his deal at Spurs, believed to be worth £100,000 a week.
However, this move gets our backing. You can’t put a price on photos like this.
Finally, Rickie Lambert could be on his way to West Brom as soon as Liverpool return from their pre-season tour.
According to The Mirror, the player has no future at the club. The 33 year old forward joined his boyhood club last summer, but made just seven Premier League starts, scoring twice and spending most of his time warming the bench.
Liverpool are reportedly trying to move on Lambert, Fabio Borini and Mario Balotelli. Should West Brom miss out on Lambert, they’ll attempt to sign free agent Carlton Cole.
The best league in the world, eh?
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