Reds Ram raid Real
When stories linking Manchester United to Real Madrid’s defensive lynchpin Sergio Ramos first emerged, many dismissed them as spurious.
The thought of Ramos playing for anyone else but Los Blancos seemed fanciful. It was surely leverage for a new deal at the Bernabeu.
Now sh*t seems to have got real. The Mail amongst others claim United have tabled a £35m bid, and the player is minded to leave.
Kos getaway
In the event that Ramos does actually end up heading to Old Trafford, Real will be after a replacement to supplement Pepe and Raphaël Varane.
The Mirror reckon the wheels are already in motion to plan for such a contingency – and Real are looking to the Premier League for options.
The name of Arsenal centre-back Laurent Koscielny has been touted, as well as a bid in the region of £21m.
Bacca to the future
If there’s one club that seem determined to get all their business done as soon as possible, it’s Liverpool.
The transfer window hasn’t even officially opened and they’ve already secured five signings – James Milner, Danny Ings, Adam Bogdan, Joe Gomez and Roberto Firminho.
But they’re far from done. Their next target, according to the Telegraph, is Sevilla’s Carlos Bacca, who has a £21m buy-out clause. You wouldn’t bet against them.
Best of the rest
*Marseille’s Dimitri Payet is expected to have a medical today to complete a £10.7m move to West Ham. (Times)
*Manchester United have told Barcelona that Angel Di Maria is not for sale. (Daily Star)
*Aston Villa will not allow Christian Benteke to leave the club for anything less than his £32.5m release clause. (Guardian)
*Everton hope to announce the permanent signing of Barcelona midfielder Gerard Deulofeu today. (Liverpool Echo)
