Manchester United have reportedly formalised their interest in unsettled Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos with an opening offer in the region of £30-35 million. According to the Independent, United are currently keen to keep negotiations over Ramos' future separate from those regarding the future of goalkeeper David de Gea. As such, their bid is a straight cash offer with no part-exchange element. Real are said to value Ramos at around £46 million. But with the player nearing his 30th birthday, Old Trafford chiefs don't wish to push their bid anything like as high because of the limited number of years they will get in return. However, the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Ramos' future was ultimately what led them to try their luck anyway. The former Sevilla youngster met with Bernabeu chief executive Jose Angel Sanchez at the club's Valdebebas training facilities on Wednesday morning. He is believed to have made clear his decision to leave during the discussions, while urging the 10-time European champions to listen to offers. Fresh reports from Marca have revealed that during the meeting, Ramos was actually told that United's opening bid, which was seemingly lodged several days before it became public, had already been rejected. It remains to be seen how negotiations between the clubs will progress from here.
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