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Ramos won’t reverse desire to quit Real

MADRID — It appears that Sergio Ramos wanting to leave Real Madrid is real and not a tactic by the Spanish international defender to leverage for an improved contract.

Ramos is allegedly frustrated at not being one of the club’s better-paid players despite his seniority. Photo: Getty Images

Ramos is allegedly frustrated at not being one of the club’s better-paid players despite his seniority. Photo: Getty Images

MADRID — It appears that Sergio Ramos wanting to leave Real Madrid is real and not a tactic by the Spanish international defender to leverage for an improved contract.

An article in leading Spanish daily Marca yesterday said the 29-year-old is keen to leave the record 10-time European champions, with differences between him and the club’s hierarchy, notably president Florentino Perez, reportedly beyond repair.

Ramos, who is reportedly seeking a move to Manchester United, fell out with Perez over former coach Jose Mourinho after he and captain Iker Casillas had questioned team tactics. Perez, who tried to mediate, eventually sided with the Portuguese.

The World Cup winning defender, who earns about €6 million (S$9 million) a year, is also allegedly frustrated at not being one of the club’s better-paid players despite his seniority.

But a Spanish news report yesterday claimed Ramos’ desire for a move is “not about the money”. The report goes on to state that the gulf between the club and himself — along with his brother agent — is too big to repair.

Ramos had met Perez earlier this week at the club’s Valdebebas training complex seeking a transfer.

United already made two bids for the defender — one of £32.5 million and a second of £42.5 million — both of which have been rejected by Real. But Real are also eyeing United goalkeeper David de Gea, but the English club are playing hardball, insisting they would not consider any offers that are less than £35 million.

That amount would surpass the current world record fee for a goalkeeper of £32.6 million that Juventus paid Parma in 2001 for Italian Gianluigi Buffon.

De Gea, 24, returned earlier this week to Madrid after a week-long holiday in Singapore, which fuelled talk that a move to Real is imminent. But when asked why he was in the Spanish capital, the Madrid-born stopper would only say: “I just came to relax. I’m on vacation. Everything is going well.” AGENCIES

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