Sergio Ramos 'demands to leave Real Madrid, Manchester United make bid'

Manchester United have made a £28.6 million bid for Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos, according to Spanish-based journalist Graham Hunter.

In the latest development in what has become an ongoing saga, the 29-year-old has also reportedly told Real he wants to leave and join Louis van Gaal’s side.

The BBC carries a similar claim that United have tabled an official offer for the Spain international.

United manager Louis van Gaal is seeking to shore up the Premier League club's defence to help improve on last season's fourth-place finish.

On Monday centre-back Phil Jones signed a new contract that ties him to Old Trafford until 2019.

For their part, Tuesday's Spanish papers do not cover the Ramos story heavily - Marca prefers to focus on Espanyol's Lucas Vazquez, who it believes will be Real Madrid's next big signing.

This figure seems much more accurate than the £40million that was being thrown around earlier this week. Although Ramos is a proven world-class defender, he is nearly 30 and would be a big gamble at that price given United’s last signing from Madrid – Angel Di Maria – has struggled to adapt to life in England.

It looks as though the saga will come to a climax in the next few days when Real decide if the price is right - especially if Ramos is demanding a move. But that does not mean the move will definitely happen… though United fans must surely hope it will.