Manchester United have reportedly lodged a £35m bid for Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos.
Speculation has mounted that United are keen to sign the 29-year-old, who is reported to have told the Blancos that he wants to leave the club this summer.
With Red Devils goalkeeper David de Gea heavily linked with a move to Rafael Benitez's side, it was touted that the Spanish giants would use Ramos in a potential swap deal.
However, United's interest is thought to be independent of any deal for the 24-year-old and the club have submitted a £35m offer to test the waters, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Ramos's buyout clause is reportedly £128m but the report goes on to claim that Real would lower this in order to improve relations in regards to a switch for De Gea.
The former Sevilla man, who joined the Madrid giants 10 years ago, is contracted to the Bernabeu club until 2017.
Shane Callaghan
