REAL MADRID are struggling to tie down Sergio Ramos to a new contract due to the Spaniard’s wage demands, according to reports in Spain.
The Bernabeu captain, 34, has been at the club since 2005 but could leave on a free this summer with his contract expiring.
Ramos is one of Real Madrid’s top earners but is demanding more to stay on for a further two years, claim reports
Ramos is already free to negotiate pre-contract terms with other clubs.
Paris Saint-Germain, as well as Manchester United and City, are all rumoured to be interested in him.
Europe’s all-time most-capped international has been haggling with Real all season.
Initially, Real Madrid were only willing to offer Ramos a one-year extension, as per the club’s policy on players over the age of 30.
However, Ramos made it clear he wanted two years or he wouldn’t commit and would leave on a free.
Eventually, Los Blancos officials caved and offered him a two-year deal, with the sticking point now wages, according to AS.
Real Madrid are said to have offered Ramos the same money he is on now – a staggering £312,000 per week.
That tally is the second-highest figure amongst players currently at the club, with Eden Hazard topping the list on £400,000.
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Sergio Ramos reportedly wants more money to sign a new contract due to the coronavirus wage cutCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS
Gareth Bale earns £650,000 a week, with Tottenham paying £325,000 of that to have him on loan for the season.
Despite being offered the same £312,000 per week, Ramos is playing hardball due to Real Madrid’s squad-wide coronavirus pay-cut policy, say AS.
The Spanish outlet claim Ramos is not willing to sign the same terms as ultimately it will be lower due to the cut and is pushing for a higher sum.
There is now every chance the club legend will leave the club, with president Florentino Perez not willing to be held to ransom for a second time.
Ramos’ brother and agent, Rene, recently lashed out at the club after retweeting a scathing Twitter post from a journalist.
The post read: “Someone will have to explain how and why we’ve got to this stage, allowing your captain, one of the legends of Real Madrid, to appear in absurd teams of players who can freely sign for another club right now.”
Ramos hasn’t signed a new contract since 2015.
Sergio Ramos is on the brink of quitting Real Madrid on a free in the summerCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS
But that year, the defender threatened to quit unless he received a huge pay-rise, using interest from Man Utd to convince Real Madrid to pay up.
Having already lost Iker Casillas to Porto that year, Perez wasn’t willing to risk losing another captain.
Ramos also threatened to leave to join a Chinese Super League team in 2019 unless he received another pay-hike, but Perez stood firm.
The defender ultimately pledged his loyalty to Madrid and revealed he wanted to end his career at the club, even if that meant playing ‘for free’.
Real Madrid are believed to be in pole position to sign Bayern Munich star David Alaba as a ready-made replacement.
The Austrian ace, six years Ramos’ junior at 28, is also out of contract in the summer, with Bayern giving up on negotiations over an extension.
Madrid are claimed to have completed a deal to sign Alaba, but Liverpool are also believed to have lodged a last-gasp bid.
Sergio Ramos makes it look easy as he shows off his fantastically fast feet in training
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
