Guillem Balague insists the only chance Manchester United have of signing Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos is to meet the player's €200m buy-out clause, making a transfer unlikely.

According to Sky sources, United are interested in signing the Spain international as part of any deal that would see David de Gea make the switch to the Santiago Bernabeu.

While Balague admits it would be an audacious move from United, he believes Real would resist anything other than an offer that meets Ramos' astronomical release clause in his contract, and the 29-year-old is simply after an improved deal at the club.

“Number one his buy-out clause is 200m euros,” Balague told Sky Sports News HQ.

“More importantly, Real Madrid do not want to negotiate, do not want to sell the player.

“You can also mention that Sergio Ramos also wants a new contract. His current one finishes in 2017, he feels he deserves better treatment than he is getting, financially anyway, and I think this is just part of negotiations.

David de Gea: Future still unresolved

“Of course Manchester United would like to have him. He has allowed these stories to come out as he wants everyone to know he is not fully happy at Real Madrid.

“But with a €200m buyout clause, and that Real Madrid do not want to sell, it suggest to me it will stay put.”

It is no secret that the 10-time European champions are set to sign De Gea, whose United contract expires at the end of next season, with a deal expected to go through this transfer window.

Balague revealed that the player himself wants the saga to come to an end, one way or another, before the new season starts, despite United's reluctance to sell.

Sergio Ramos: Eyeing new Real contract, says Balague

“It would be a cheeky offer from Manchester United to demand that kind of swap [Ramos], but again, you know for a fact that Real Madrid want David de Gea, De Gea wants a solution to be found to his situation to be found this summer, and not let his contract run out next summer.

“Real Madrid are hopeful they can get De Gea, even though Manchester United don’t seem to be negotiating at the moment.

“That will be the saga of the summer, and Sergio Ramos interest will die out in the next few days.”