'%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)
Real Madrid officially announced the extension of their captain Sergio Ramos’ contract till 2020 on their website. The Spanish defender had been linked to a move away from the Bernabeu all summer with English giants Manchester United seeming the most likely destination. The new contract puts the move beyond doubt at least for another season.
Ramos signed for Los Galacticos in 2005 and since then has become a regular feature in their side. He has made 314 appearances for the Spanish giants and has gathered an impressive tally of 40 goals for them in the process, showing his attacking nous despite being a central defender. He will also take over as club captain this season as Real let go of Iker Casillas earlier in the transfer window.
The club will hold an official ceremony for the signing of the new contract. It may not be a new signing for the Madridista but the fans will breathe a sigh of relief at the end of a saga that was dragged out because of the huge shadow over Ramos’ satisfaction with his treatment by the club and reports emerging that the club wasn’t willing to bow to his demands. The retention of a key figure in their line-up will have the feel of a new signing around it as Rafael Benitez’s Madrid go on the trophy hunt once again this season.
Two Spaniards across countries and leagues were embroiled in a transfer saga that reached boiling point a week ago and still seems to be simmering with Ramos’ contract extension settling only one half of the issue. The future of Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea hangs in the balance as Benitez’s side seem keen on replacing Iker Casillas. They brought in Kiko Casilla as a replacement despite having Keylor Navas in the team but their sights still seem focussed on Manchester United’s two-time Player of the Season.
It began with Real Madrid’s flirtation with David De Gea that evolved into an obsession. United at the time reportedly asked for Sergio Ramos to come the other way if De Gea was to move back to Spain. It seemed like a move simply aimed at keeping their goalkeeper, but with shadows being cast over the nature of the relationship between Sergio Ramos and the club, whispers emerged of a possible move.
The English giants also apparently made a £35 million offer to secure the services of the 2014 Champions League winning defender but all of it now seems in vain as Ramos will sign the contract to extend his stay in Madrid till 2020.
