Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC want to sign Sergio Ramos from Real Madrid CF
Sergio Ramos(credit: Ryu Voelkel)
Crunch Sports Staff - 28 Feb 2011
Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United are being linked with Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos, whose agent has confirmed Premier League clubs are interested in signing him
24-year-old has been linked with a move away from the Bernabeu for some time following reports earlier this year of a bust-up behind the scenes at the Bernabeu stemming from an incident with Cristiano Ronaldo earlier in the season.
Manchester United were linked with the Spain international as part of a potential swap deal that would have seen Patrice Evra move to the Spanish giants prior to the Frenchman signing a new contract at Old Trafford last week, while Chelsea and Liverpool are also believed to be weighing up a bid for the right-back.
AC Milan are also believed to be keen on Ramos and last week reports in Italy claimed the Serie A side were ready to offer Brazil striker Alexandre Pato in a part-exchange deal.
But according The People, the agent and brother of Ramos says Premier League clubs are keen on signing the World Cup winner as talks over a new contract at Real are pending.
"Some big clubs in England and Italy have been interested in Sergio for some time," he said.
"We expect to have a meeting with the club in the next few months and to analyse the future of Sergio."
Chelsea spent over £70million last month on striker Fernando Torres and defender David Luiz and have already been linked with a number of top players ahead of the transfer window re-opening at the end of the season, with the likes of Fabio Coentrao, Kaka and Wesley Sneijder all linked with moves to Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool, who splashed out of £50m during the transfer window, have been linked with a number of left-backs in recent weeks. But with Glen Johnson playing in that position in recent weeks under Kenny Dalglish - and with the club looking to become genuine title challengers once again - it is believed that a new right-back could also be brought in.
In addition, there have been rumours that Johnson - who has previously been linked with Real Madrid - could still leave Anfield in the summer as a result of the England international becoming unsettled following criticism from former manager Roy Hodgson.
It would appear that Chelsea would be favourites ahead of Liverpool to lure Ramos away from Spain to England, although the Reds do have the funds available and at 24, Ramos would also fit in with plans laid out by the club's new owners of bringing in younger players who would have a re-sale value for if and when they are sold later in their career.