Sergio Ramos: Real Madrid defender a target for Manchester United

Sky sources understand there has been initial contact between Manchester United and Real Madrid over a potential Sergio Ramos transfer.

Widespread reports in the UK media have claimed that United have made an offer in the region £35m for Ramos, but it is still not clear whether the discussions have actually reached that stage yet.

"There are tentative discussions between Manchester United and Real Madrid," Sky Sports News HQ reporter James Cooper said.

He added: "I think they have looked at some of the remarks made by Sergio Ramos in recent days and thought, 'there might be a chance of doing that [deal]'.

"But I think there is also a realisation that they are part of a larger game and that Ramos would dearly love to sign a bigger, bumper contract at Real Madrid."

Spanish sports newspaper AS claims Ramos wants to leave and met with his club’s general director Jose Angel Sanchez at their training ground on Wednesday.

The former Sevilla player, signed by Real in 2005 for 27m euros, is contracted at the Bernabeu for another two seasons and has not been offered an extension as yet.

Sergio Ramos: Could he be holding out for new contract at Real Madrid?

AS says United want to offer him 12m euros per season and Ramos is upset Real have stayed silent on Barcelona presidential candidate Jordi Majo’s claim he had been offered a chance to sign him.

United's interest in Ramos has been connected with the potential move of David De Gea in the other direction with the keeper one of Real's top transfer targets of the summer.

Real are hopeful they can lure De Gea back to Spain and another potential clue to his future emerged on Thursday when the house he rents in Cheshire was put up for sale.