The Sergio Ramos transfer saga took another interesting twist with the 29-year-old’s mother saying that her son wants to stay with Real Madrid. Paqui Garcia dismissed talk of a potential move to Manchester United when she was interviewed through her car window by reporters of El Chiringuito, a Spanish TV station.
When asked whether the Spanish defender was interested in a move abroad, she replied: “No, I don’t think so. Real Madrid above all.” The video of the interview has been posted on the channel’s official Twitter account.
Ramos has spent 10 years at the Bernabeu, after moving to Los Blancos from Sevilla and is a fan favourite among the Madrista. He scored the injury-time equaliser in the 2013/14 Champions League final against city rivals Atletico Madrid that sent Real on its way to its tenth European Cup triumph.
Ramos’ mother added, “He loves Spain. Madrid has everything. Why should he move?”
The revelation by Paqui Garcia has not seemed to deter Manchester United in their approach for Ramos, with a second bid reportedly being readied. Sky Sports had reported on Monday that United had bid £28.6 million for the Spaniard.
Ramos reportedly unhappy at Madrid
The Old Trafford club have been hot on the heels of the defender all summer and Ramos apparently met club officials, demanding a move away from Madrid.
“Real Madrid can be under no illusions that Ramos wants to go to Manchester United and he expects them to comply. He wants to be part of the project of rebuilding Manchester United,” Spanish football expert Graham Hunter told Sky Sports News HQ.
Ramos has two years remaining on his contract, but is reportedly unhappy with the proceedings at Real Madrid.
“He feels slighted by the renegotiations of other players’ contracts around him. There is a lack of communication between the club president Florentino Perez and Sergio Ramos,” Hunter added further.
So what next?
Manchester United’s unwillingness to let their Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea leave on the cheap is believed to be one of the major stumbling blocks in the Ramos deal. Despite having only a year remaining on his contract, the Red Devils are demanding in excess of £20m for De Gea.
The English press have also been reporting that Manchester City could enter the fray in an attempt to hijack United’s bid. The Sky Blues manager Manuel Pellegrini worked with Ramos during his spell in charge of Real Madrid during the 2009-10 season, and recently named him as one of the best players plying their trade in the Spanish league.