Signing Sergio Ramos would be 'a massive plus' for Manchester United, according to the defender's former Real Madrid coach Paul Clement.

United manager Louis van Gaal has made Ramos his primary transfer target this summer, although the club are yet to raise their rejected opening offer of around £28million for the Spain international.

Clement, who has since left the Bernabeu to take charge of Derby County, rates the 29-year-old as one of the best centre-backs in world football.

Sergio Ramos would 'massively benefit' Manchester United should he leave Real Madrid this summer

Former Real coach Paul Clement (centre), now Derby manager, rates Ramos among world's best defenders

The World Cup winner has reportedly told the 10-times European champions he wants to leave after failing to agree personal terms over a new contract, with Clement insisting he will be a boost to any club he joins.

'He is a wonderful player, one of the best I have ever worked with,' Clement told Sky Sports.

'[He has] so many qualities, [he is] a fantastic footballer, leader, competitor, athlete, a fantastic guy.

'He is one of the best centre-halves in the world and I've worked with some good ones like John Terry, Thiago Silva at PSG, good ones in Pepe and Raphael Varane but Ramos is up there with the best I've worked with.

'Marca' has stated that Ramos is determined to leave Real Madrid, and his decision to go is irrevocable

A recent poll has shown that 55 per cent of Real Madrid fans are prepared to see Ramos leave

'Whether at Real Madrid or United, either club are going to massively benefit. Wherever he is, it's going to a massive plus for that club.'

Ramos appeared to take a step closer to Old Trafford after a Real Madrid fans' poll revealed that 55 per cent of supporters now believe he should be sold.

Fans originally rejected the idea of selling the club’s captain but of 25,000 who voted in the Diario AS survey over half now say they would back the club’s decision to let him join Manchester United.

For Real Madrid president Florentino Perez – ever the populist wary of a supporters backlash over the decision – this represents the removal of another barrier to him selling the Spain international.

Clement rates Ramos alongside the likes of John Terry (left) and Thiago Silva (right)

Los Blancos are still on the trail of Manchester United keeper David de Gea (left)

The sale of Ramos, along with the departure of Iker Casillas could mean Real Madrid kick-off next season without a single outfield Spanish player in their starting XI.

If Rafa Benitez starts the season with: Danillo, Raphael Varane, Pepe, Marcelo, Toni Kross, Luka Modric, James Rodriguez, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo, Madrid’s first XI would boast a mix of two Brazilians, two Frenchman, two Portuguese, a German, a Croatian, a Welshman and a Colombian, but no Spaniards.