Manchester City hold a key advantage over Mauricio Pochettino in the race to sign departing Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos this summer, according to L’Equipe.
Ramos will leave the Santiago Bernabeu after 16 seasons when his contract expires at midnight Wednesday. He enjoyed a trophy-laden spell in the Spanish capital following a €23m (£20m) move from Sevilla in 2005.
Leonardo is now studying the possibility of taking Ramos to Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer. But the French outfit are only willing to offer him a one-year contract, while the Spaniard wants a two-year deal.
Ramos left Real Madrid as Florentino Perez was only prepared to present a one-year contract. His injury problems last season are now causing PSG to question offering anything more than the same, but with an option to extend.
Pochettino is a long-term admirer of Ramos and has been driving PSG’s interest this summer per ESPN. He feels the 180-cap international’s leadership would help the Parisian giants avoid a repeat of last season’s Ligue 1 and Champions League failures.
But Ramos has also been considering offers from Manchester City and Bayern Munich as he looks for the right club. The centre-half, who earned £338,000-per-week in Madrid, is keen to join a side where he will compete for honours and have a good family life.
He also wants to have his future resolved soon, which could work in Pep Guardiola’s favour. ESPN have previously reported that Manchester City are willing to hand Ramos the two-year contract he is after.
Manchester City could lead Ramos race
Paris Saint-Germain only offering Ramos a one-year contract could see Manchester City lead the race for his signature. Guardiola would love him at the Etihad, while the club’s analytics team believe his physical performance is at the same level of a much younger player.
That is why the Citizens are willing to give the four-time Champions League winner a two-year deal rather than one. And as ESPN believe a move to Bayern Munich would be difficult due to the language barrier, Guardiola could lead.
Ramos would bring a heap of experience and leadership to Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich if signed. Now, PSG Sporting Director Leonardo must decide if he will give the 35-year-old a two-year contract or risk missing out.
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