With the Spain star having brought down the curtain on his time at Santiago Bernabeu, Olybet website breaks down the clubs he could join this summer
After 16 years, Sergio Ramos’ time as a Real Madrid player is over, with the defender having bid a tearful farewell to life at Santiago Bernabeu on Thursday.
A four-time Champions League winner with the Blancos, Ramos’ status as a legend of the club cannot be questioned, and he leaves as one of the greatest defenders of the modern era.
His career, though, is not over, and as one of the most competitive players of the past decade or so, surely Ramos wants to continue playing at the highest level possible.
Manchester United
By Charlotte Duncker, Man Utd Correspondent
Of all the potential destinations for Ramos this summer, Manchester United will likely be near the top of those mentioned most frequently.
The centre-back has been linked with a move to Old Trafford countless times before, and he very nearly joined the Red Devils when Louis van Gaal was in charge.
But a move for him this time around, even if he is a free agent, remains very unlikely.
United are looking to sign a centre-back in this window, but Ramos’ team-mate Raphael Varane and compatriot Pau Torres are their favoured options, rather than a 35-year-old who would cost a huge amount in wages.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is trying to build a squad to compete both now and in the future, while Ramos would merely be a stop-gap option, with only a couple of years left before he retires.
Although nothing is impossible, and many would not have predicted veteran striker Edinson Cavani ending up at Old Trafford this time last year, Ramos to United remains very unlikely given Solskjaer’s long-term plan.
MLS
By Ryan Tolmich, Assistant Editor/MLS Reporter
While the idea of Ramos in MLS is a fun one from both an on and off-field perspective, it would certainly be a tricky one to pull off.
Firstly, there are only so many teams that could truly attract Ramos, with the most likely landing spots being in Los Angeles, New York or Miami. Of those, Miami has been seen as the most likely, but the club is already in hot water with the league for the mismanagement of their current Designated Player situation.
Secondly, there are not many teams that are willing to spend big money and use a DP slot on a defender, even one with Ramos’ quality and star power.
He could, theoretically, end up with New York City FC as part of a deal with Manchester City, but the club has shied away from those types of signings in recent years, with the focus more on young stars like recent arrival Talles Magno.
He also could end up with LAFC, but they are not a club that has shown any desire to sign aging stars.
So, as things stand, file Ramos-to-MLS as one to be skeptical about.
Paris Saint-Germain
By Naim Beneddra, Goal France
The signing of Ramos by PSG has not been ruled out, and there are several reasons why such a move would make sense.
The first is that he remains a world-class player, and his signing would allow Parc des Princes outfit to yet again make clear its lofty ambitions.
Nasser Al-Khelaifi has made it clear that he wants to hit the transfer market hard this summer, and though centre-back may not be where PSG were initially prioritising, when an opportunity like this presents itself, it would be a mistake not to take advantage of it.
The other reason that a potential signing seems credible is that Ramos is a dressing room leader, and PSG currently lack players with that same authority. The fact that Ramos speaks the same language as manager Mauricio Pochettino means that he could even be the coach’s biggest ally on the pitch.
In addition, the arrival of Ramos could allow Pochettino to play a three-man defence, a tactical system which he has previously enjoyed some success with.
If Achraf Hakimi were to also arrive this summer and Juan Bernat regains his place on the left after injury, a three-man defence of Ramos, Presnel Kimpembe and Marquinhos certainly has potential.
The only issue that could stop Ramos arriving in PSG could be the potential detrimental effect it could have on the rest of the squad, particularly if Pochettino retains his normal four-man backline.
Neither Ramos nor Kimpembe or Marquinhos would want to play second fiddle, and as such the Ligue 1 giants must weigh up all potential outcomes before making an offer.
Roma
By Renato Maisani, Goal Italy Chief Editor
For some weeks now, there have been reports circulating in Italy that new Roma boss Jose Mourinho has contacted Ramos to propose that he moves to Stadio Olimpico.
The pair have a relationship from Mourinho’s time in charge of Madrid, and though they at times clashed in the Spanish capital, they could still reconcile if they came together at Roma.
It is obviously a difficult deal to do, in part because Roma cannot offer Champions League football for next season, but it seems that Mourinho has at least tried to tempt Ramos.
Sevilla
By Francisco Rico, Goal Spain reporter
Having come through the Sevilla academy, there had been some speculation that Ramos could return to his boyhood club, 16 years after he left Andalusia.
However, even before those rumours could pick up steam, the veteran defender poured cold water on them during his farewell press conference.
“Sevilla is the other club in my heart where I had a great time,” he said, “but at the moment there is nothing on the table about going back.”