Transfer gossip – Ramos to remain in Madrid

By Kevin Kelly | Jul 27, 2015

Jun 7, 2014; Landover, MD, USA; Spain defender Sergio Ramos (15) kicks the ball against El Salvador at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Playing for 90’s transfer gossip column brings you all the latest news and rumours of ins and outs from the Premier League and abroad, including news on the future of Sergio Ramos.

Madrid halt Ramos move

According to Guardian Football Sergio Ramos will not be allowed leave Real Madrid this summer, in light of serious interest from Manchester United. Although there are still five weeks of the transfer window remaining, the belief from some quarters is that Ramos’s departure is now impossible and United are considering their next move. Ramos has not agreed a contract renewal at the Bernabéu and it is not yet clear whether he has finally given up on the move.

The meeting, which ran into Sunday night, was attended by Pérez, Ramos, José Ángel Sánchez, Madrid’s chief executive, and Ramos’s brother and agent, René. Ramos reiterated his desire to join United, who have made two formal bids for the defender, but Pérez outright refused to countenance a sale. With two years left on his current contract, Ramos’s ability to force Madrid’s hand is limited. It is the club, ultimately, who hold sway.

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United’s position is that they will not sell David de Gea unless they are allowed to sign Ramos. As it stands, the goalkeeper would be forced to stay at Old Trafford. Whether United will continue to stick to that stance, following the news from China and having confirmed the signing of the goalkeeper Sergio Romero from Sampdoria, remains to be seen.

Drogba heads to Montreal Impact

The Montreal Impact has acquired the MLS rights to Ivorian striker Didier Drogba from the Chicago Fire, and is poised to sign the player to a contract, sources have told ESPN FC.

The current deal on the table will see Drogba, 37, sign an 18-month contract in excess of $3 million per year but the former Chelsea forward has not yet put pen to paper. The deal is contingent on Drogba signing the contract with Montreal.

Chicago initially obtained Drogba’s rights by filing a discovery claim on the player and pursued him for over a month. The Fire thought its offer would be enough to entice the former Chelsea forward to head to the Windy City but Montreal soon entered the fray, and the prospect of playing in the French-speaking city proved more attractive to the former Ivory Coast captain.

When Drogba indicated his preference was to be in Montreal, the Fire traded his rights to the Impact in exchange for what one source with knowledge of the deal described as a “substantial amount of targeted and regular allocation money” well in excess of $100,000.

This marks the second time in two seasons that Chicago has missed out on a high-profile designated player. In 2014 the club went through a protracted attempt to sign U.S. international midfielder Jermaine Jones that ended with the Fire getting nothing and the player ending up with the New England Revolution via a league-mandated (and much derided) blind draw.

Arsenal emerge as favourites to land Llorente

According to Tuttosport Arsenal are poised to sign Fernando Llorente from Juventus. The Juventus striker is drawing interest from clubs all across Europe this summer and a fight is now on for his signature.

Manchester United and Real Madrid have both made enquires to the Italian champions, while Tottenham were chasing the Spaniard back in January. However, according to Tuttosport, Arsenal are now in pole position to sign the 30-year-old this summer.

The Gunners are reportedly ready to shell out £8.5m for Llorente, who joined Juventus for free back in July 2013. The Spain international’s preferred destination is said to be Real Madrid, but it remains to be seen whether they will follow up their interest and Arsene Wenger is ready to swoop.

Chelsea set to make £26m second offer for Everton’s John Stones

According to several media outlets, including the Daily Mirror, Chelsea will make a second offer for Everton’s John Stones, worth £26m, within the next 48 hours. The Toffees are demanding around £34million, which would break British record fee for a defender.

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The Champions, however, will offer £26m after having a £20million bid rejected two weeks ago.Stones played all 90 minutes of Everton’s 3-1 win over Hearts alongside Phil Jagielka as the Merseyside club began their mini-tour of Scotland yesterday.

He is seen at Stamford Bridge as a natural heir to skipper John Terry.

Everton boss Roberto Martinez and owner Bill Kenwright have so far insisted the England international is not for sale. But Chelsea are keen to sign him before the start of the new season, possibly even before Sunday’s Community Shield against Arsenal. Despite that, the Londoners are determined not to be held to ransom.

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