Manchester United transfer target Sergio Ramos is reportedly heading for move away from Real Madrid this summer after arguing with club officials over Kylian Mbappe, reports suggest.
Ramos remains one of United’s top targets ahead of the summer.
The Spanish centre-back is out of contract this summer, and it seems unlikely he’ll sign a new deal.
Spanish outlet AS suggest Ramos was among the group of Madrid players unhappy with plans for a 10% pay-cut.
The veteran star is said to have been unhappy with plans to cut salaries in order to fund a move for Mbappe.
He reportedly told his Madrid team-mates not to accept the proposals, because the money they saved would only be used to sign the Paris Saint-Germain star.
Mbappe is one of Madrid’s top targets this summer, but finances at the Bernabeu are tight.
The Spanish giants are reported to have asked players to take a pay-cut in the region of 10% back in February.
Reports in Spain also suggested that Gareth Bale’s £600,000 per-week wages were a source of difficulty for the club.
Florentino Perez had been open about the fact that the club couldn’t afford to buy players for large transfer fees this summer.
Following the collapse of the European Super League, Perez didn’t hold back when discussing the summer transfer window and claimed money would be tight.
As a result, players were asked to agree to lower their wages in order to balance the books.
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But Ramos is said to have believed this was just a way of freeing up money to launch a mega bid for Mbappe, who is out of contract in a year’s time.
The French wonderkid will likely be available for nothing in January if PSG don’t get him to sign a new deal, and will cost an extortionate amount if he is sold this summer.
PSG are adamant that he’ll be going nowhere, and it would likely cost a near-world record fee for him to go.
As a result of the dispute, Ramos has seemingly decided to end his 16-year tenure at Madrid.
United are believed to be eager, but PSG are also interested in making a move of their own, with the club eager to replace Thiago Silva, who left last summer.
Speaking back in March, Zinedine Zidane spoke openly of his desire to keep Ramos at the club.
(Image: Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno)
He said: “I want to be honest and I have to say I don’t know what’s going to happen with him.
“We want him to stay here. He’s always going to be an important player and I want him to remain here, that’s what I’ll say as a coach.”
However, Zidane has now departed the Spanish capital, having been replaced by Carlo Ancelotti, and it seems Ramos is set to follow him out the door.
