According to reports, Manchester United could yet miss out on both Sergio Ramos and Morgan Schneiderlin this summer.
Louis van Gaal is very much aware that Ramos is currently in dispute with Real Madrid over the terms of his contract, which still has two years left to run, as he feels he deserves parity with some of the club’s star players. This has become such an issue that it has been widely reported that the Spain international has told Los Blancos he wants to leave, with United in his sights.
The Premier League giants, who will be back in the UEFA Champions League next season if they can negotiate a qualifying tie, are thought to be prepared to pay £35million for the former Sevilla defender, which is the same amount they want Real to pay for David de Gea if the goalkeeper, who is in the final year of his contract, asks to leave the Reds for the Bernabeu.
But according to Duncan Castles in The Times, there remains every chance that Ramos will perform a u-turn and instead commit his future – and therefore probably the rest of his career – to Real. In a report for on Sunday, the journalist indicates that the La Liga powerhouse are confident of retaining the services of the 29-year-old, who has been at the club since 2005.
Whilst not landing Ramos wouldn’t necessarily be seen as a blow for van Gaal considering the ambitious nature of such a swoop, it would be if he fails to land Schneiderlin. The France international has established himself as one of the best defensive midfield players in England, and it has been well publicised that United have already offered £20million for his signature.
Southampton, though, rejected this opening gambit as they rate the 25-year-old at £25million. And although this is still a figure well within van Gaal’s budget, Castles claims that the former Strasbourg player could stall on a move to Manchester as he would ideally like to join Arsenal. Arsene Wenger has in the past shown an interest in his compatriot, and as reports of the Gunners bidding for Juventus star Arturo Vidal fade, he could yet be tempted to move for the Saints player.
