'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
One of the best defenders of the modern generation, Sergio Ramos will end his 16-year association with Real Madrid this summer.
The club has officially announced that Ramos will leave the club on a free transfer. This has naturally piqued the interest of top clubs across Europe, with Ramos' quality and leadership still in high demand.
Ramos enjoyed a stellar career with Real Madrid and is regarded as a legend of the club. However, the 2020/21 season proved to be a poor one for the 35-year old, with injury issues limiting his appearances for the club. He was not selected for the Spain squad for the Euros either.
It will be interesting to see which club picks up Sergio Ramos. There is no denying his pedigree, but his injuries during his last season with Real Madrid could put some clubs off.
We look at:
5 possible destinations for Sergio Ramos
#5 Chelsea
It is no secret that Chelsea are interested in signing a centre-back this summer, with Wolfsburg's Maxence Lacroix and Bayern Munich's Niklas Sule linked with the club.
The Blues enjoyed great success after signing Thiago Silva on a free transfer last summer, and the availability of Sergio Ramos offers the club a similar opportunity. Ramos, like Silva, is highly experienced and one of the best centre-backs of this century. The Blues could focus on strengthening other positions in the squad if they manage to acquire the 35-year old on a free transfer.
The chance of playing for a club that has the potential to become one of the best in Europe will surely be a tantalizing prospect for Sergio Ramos. However, Chelsea are seemingly targeting younger players for the centre-back position, so for now it seems unlikely that the Spaniard will wear the blue of the club.
Also Read: Strongest possible starting XI for England | UEFA Euro 2020
#4 Sevilla
A club which have recently thrown their name in the mix for Sergio Ramos' signature is his former club Sevilla.
The Spain international is a product of the Sevilla academy, and made 50 appearances in all competitions before joining Real Madrid in 2005. Sevilla have a history of bringing back players, with Ivan Rakitic rejoining the club where he made his name last summer after a successful spell with Barcelona.
It would be surprising to see Sergio Ramos return to Sevilla, though. The club operates within certain financial parameters, and Ramos' was one of the best paid players in Europe during his stint with Los Blancos.
#3 Manchester United
This is not the first time Manchester United have been linked with Sergio Ramos. In the past, whenever there were rumors that Ramos could depart Los Blancos, the Old Trafford outfit have been suggested as the primary destination.
Manchester United under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have shown clear signs of progress and, like Chelsea, the Red Devils are interested in signing a centre-back this summer. Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof have started the majority of the games for the club, but there is a feeling that an upgrade can be found for Lindelof.
Sergio Ramos would offer some much-needed experience to a young Manchester United side, while his partnership with Maguire looks solid on paper. Villarreal's Pau Torres, Sevilla's Jules Kounde and Real Madrid's Raphael Varane have also been linked as with the club in recent weeks.
#2 Manchester City
Manchester City have an exciting project under the management of Pep Guardiola, and it is clear that some of the best players in the world want to play for the Spaniard.
Sergio Ramos and Guardiola are no strangers. During Guardiola's spell as Barcelona boss the matches against Real Madrid were highly anticipated. Amid suggestions that Aymeric Laporte wants to leave the club, Sergio Ramos could slot straight in as a direct replacement.
Manchester City have spent huge amounts of money on their centre-backs. However, they are a smartly run club and it would not be surprising to see the Spaniard sign a contract with the Cityzens.
#1 Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain have been extremely active regarding transfers so far, having already signed midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum on a free transfer and closing in on signing goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, also on a free.
Sergio Ramos could be the next free agent to join the club. The Ligue 1 giants are among the favourites to sign the 35-year old, and clearly have the financial means to make a deal happen. Paris Saint-Germain boast Marquinhos and Presnel Kimpembe among their centre-back options, and Ramos would offer an excellent alternative to the two.
The Parisiens have shown shrewdness in recent transfer windows, making smart buys and building their squad around the talents of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. There has been criticism aimed at the way sporting director Leonardo has operated at the club, and signing Sergio Ramos would be a good response.
Also Read: Jim Beglin's column - 5 players who could impress in unfamiliar positions
