Manchester United and Chelsea Fighting It Our for Real Madrid Star Sergio Ramos

By Soham Samaddar - 13 Apr '16 07:34AM

Defending champions Chelsea and misfiring giants Manchester United are both in need of a defensive leader at the heart of their defence and it seems both clubs are going to slug it out for the signing of Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos in the summer. However, according to reports published by The Daily Express, Chelsea has stolen a march on their rivals by placing a mammoth £64 million bid for the Spanish centre back and even though Manchester United have been pursing the player for more than a few transfer windows now, it seems that the West London club are now in pole position to land his signature during the upcoming transfer window.

Manchester United representatives had been in talks with Sergio Ramos' representatives during last summer's transfer window and a deal was rumoured to have been close to completion, but it did not materialise as Real Madrid offered him an improved contract and he signed on the dotted line. Chelsea's long time defensive leader and captain John Terry is no longer the player he once was and it is almost certain that he will not be the part of the team next season, which is why the Blues have gone all out for a defensive leader who would be able to lead the defensive unit from next season onwards.

Chelsea's incoming manager Antonio Conte is also a long time admirer of the Spanish international and feels that he would be the ideal candidate for his system, which relies on a 3 man defence. Ramso' mobility, defensive nous and the ability to be dominant in the air would certainly fill the void left behind by the expected departure of club legend John Terry. Manchester United on the other hand need a defensive partner for Chris Smalling and over the course of the season they have struggled to find an internatl solution. Phil Jones has not been able to develop as a reliable centre back and the hierarchy at the club believe that Sergio Ramos could prove to be the perfect partner for the Englishman at the heart of the defence.