Real Madrid announced a tribute and farewell to Sergio Ramos after not reaching an agreement on its renewal.
The captain wanted two seasons of contract to continue at the Santiago Bernabéu and waited for a gesture from Florentino Pérez until the last minute to try to reach an agreement. However, different sources inform ESPN that the latest conversations between Ramos and the president have not been satisfactory and the center-back has decided to end his time at Madrid after 16 seasons wearing the white jersey.
The white player will announce his goodbye in a ceremony at Real Madrid City in Valdebebas this Thursday.
Ramos’ next step is not yet decided, but several sources admit to ESPN that Manchester City is still the best placed to take over his services, although there may be other last-minute options.
On May 31, ESPN already reported that the team led by Pep Guardiola was preparing an offer in case Ramos finally decided not to renew his contract with Madrid.
The English club, as ESPN announced at the time, plans to offer Ramos a two-season contract that can be reviewed starting in the summer of 2023. In this way, depending on the performance and priorities of the center-back, Ramos could continue a third season at City or he would have the possibility of emigrating to the United States to play for New York City, the City Group franchise in MLS.
Ramos is an express request from Guardiola. The Catalan coach sees the Spanish as a good signing to bring “experience” and “immediate performance” to the central pair formed by two young men as Ruben Dias (24 years old) and John stones (27 years).
City also has Nathan Ake but Eric García has signed for Barcelona and Aymeric laporte could leave the Etihad Stadium after a season in which he lost the title.
Ramos turned 35 in March, but, according to ESPN, the City manages records that suggest that the Andalusian continues with data on the physical performance of a player “between 28 and 30 years old.”
ESPN already reported on January 4 that Manchester City was very “attentive” to the renewal of Ramos. Guardiola’s insistence has been key to holding out until the end, even more so since the talks between Madrid and the captain had been stalled since last October.
Even so, from the player’s environment, the appearance of interests from other teams that, during the year, have knocked on the door of the Camas center-back is not ruled out.
Ramos, as ESPN has been reporting, asked for two seasons of contract to renew with Madrid, while Florentino Pérez, faithful to his policy of renewing players over 30 years of age, only offered him one more season.
A source informed ESPN that the Madrid captain did not ask for a salary increase despite several reports pointing to the contrary in recent days.
Madrid signed Ramos from Sevilla in the summer of 2005 after paying the 27 million euros of his release clause. The central defender soon became an indisputable one and, over 16 seasons, he managed to win 4 Champions League, 5 Leagues, 4 Club World Cups, 3 European Super Cups, 2 King’s Cups and 4 Spanish Super Cups. In addition, with the Spanish team he also won 2 European Cups and the historic 2010 World Cup in South Africa.