Manchester United make opening £35m bid for Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos

Manchester United have made a £35m ($55m) opening bid for Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos, according to the Daily Mail.

Madrid are unlikely to exercise the option and are likely to succumb to United's offer should Ramos decide to leave.

The report states that Madrid are looking at possible replacements for Ramos, with Athletic Bilbao's Aymeric Laporte and Valencia's Nicolas Otamendi among possible replacements.

Meanwhile, Pedro Riesco, who works closely with Ramos and his brother, revealed that a move for Ramos was almost inevitable under the current circumstances.

Riesco told Radio Marca: "With everything that has happened it will be very difficult for Sergio Ramos to stay at Madrid."

"Sergio is a symbol of this club. He has nothing to prove. But so many things are being said about him."

"There is so much manipulation to discredit his name via spokesmen who behave like puppets saying he is not respecting the club and that he is just a money-grabber."

Florentino Perez is reportedly unwilling to hand Ramos the third highest contract at the club behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.