Sergio Ramos is leaving Real Madrid after 16 seasons and the 35-year-old has revealed to his close friends within the dressing room where he’s going.
It’s bad news for Manchester United, Manchester City and the other Premier League clubs linked to his signature, as the legendary centre-back is set to join Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer.
The four-time Champions League winner was shockingly left out of Spain’s Euro 2020 squad, but there’s no sign that he’s over the hill as a player. So he’d be a strong addition to a PSG backline which lost the experience of Thiago Silva to Chelsea a year ago.
Reports via Spanish outlet Tiempo de Juego say that Ramos received an offer from the Paris club which is financially superior to what either of the Manchester sides came up with. And that he has told his friends at Real that he will be playing for the Ligue 1 giants next season.
The slight good news for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is that, if the PSG deal should somehow fall through, Ramos has reportedly expressed a preference for Man United over City.
No, we can’t really imagine the fiery Los Blancos icon working smoothly under Pep Guardiola either.
For a long time, it looked as though Ramos would eventually sign an extension to his Real contract, the club where he’s made himself an all-time great.
However his desire for a two-year deal when at first only a one-year extension was offered first hinted at a departure and – despite the arrival of his former boss Carlo Ancelotti from Everton – it has been announced that Ramos is definitely leaving with the best wishes of the club, after 671 games and over 100 goals.
“I’ll always keep Real Madrid in my heart,” said a tearful Ramos during his departing press conference, per Sun Sport.
“A marvellous stage in my life is over, but a new exciting future awaits and I am looking forward to showing my level and winning some more trophies.
“You’re never prepared to say adios to Real Madrid but the moment has arrived. This is an ‘adieu’ as sooner or later I will return.
“I would like to thank the fans, they carried me in their arms at all times.
“I would have liked to say goodbye at the Bernabeu. But I will always carry you in my heart.”
Let’s see how true that holds if PSG and Real Madrid draw one another in next season’s Champions League.
All imagery: PA Images