PSG, Man City or MLS: Where next for Real Madrid legend Ramos?

By Simone Gambino, Goal Italy Deputy Editor

We all know that Paolo Maldini is Sergio Ramos' idol, and that the Spain star really admires AC Milan's history, but their chances of signing him this summer are very low because of his high salary demands.

Milan, too, are spending €28 million (£25m/$33m) to sign Fikayo Tomori, and they already have a defensive leader in Simon Kjaer.

They will be the starting duo for Stefano Pioli next season, so there is no room for Ramos.

By Charles Watts, Arsenal Correspondent

Sergio Ramos has been, and remains, a wonderful defender and there is no doubt Arsenal could do with someone of his quality in the heart of the defence.

In a team that lacks leadership, he would add organisation, a will to win and be the type of figurehead who could lead the dressing room in north London.

But it is not, however, a move that is going to happen.

Financially, Arsenal simply would not be able to put a financial package together that could compete with the clubs across Europe who are looking at Ramos.

Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu, meanwhile, are focusing on bringing in young players this summer as part of their squad overhaul, with 23-year-old Brighton centre-back Ben White their priority defensive target.

So while the arrival of someone like Ramos would certainly improve Arsenal, on and off the pitch, this is one transfer race that the Gunners will not be joining.

By Adria Soldevila, Barcelona Correspondent

From an economic perspective, it is impossible for Barcelona to sign Ramos.

From a sporting perspective, it is impossible for Barcelona to sign Ramos.

In short, it is impossible for Barcelona to sign Ramos.

The man even confirmed it himself in his farwell press conference, saying: "As for Barcelona - impossible. You will never see Sergio Ramos in a Barcelona shirt."

By Kerry Hau, Bayern Munich reporter (SPOX)

Bayern have a good relationship with Real Madrid, good experiences with Spanish players in recent years (Xabi Alonso, Thiago Alcantara, Javi Martinez) and Ramos would definitely be a great transfer in terms of marketing and image... but it is very unlikely that he will come to Munich.

Bayern never showed any interest in Ramos as speculation over his future has grown in recent months, and have just signed Dayot Upamecano to bolster the centre of their defence.

They do not want to pay high salaries - that is why David Alaba and Jerome Boateng are leaving this summer - and with Julian Nagelsmann now in charge, the Bayern hierarchy want him to develop young players, like United States starlet Chris Richards. 

By Nizaar Kinsella, Chelsea Correspondent

Chelsea may look to sign a central defender later in the transfer window, after they know what is happening with Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen's expiring contracts, though there is an appetite to renew them both after the roles they played in winning the Champions League.

If both players were to reject Chelsea's offer of a new deal, then the Blues' hand could be forced, meaning it is not impossible that they sign Sergio Ramos.

He would, however, have to accept a reduced salary at Stamford Bridge.

Thiago Silva's presence, meanwhile, does not help any Ramos-to-Chelsea theorists, with the Blues keen to keep the average age of their squad down, and it is highly unlikely that they would want two players in their late-30s playing in the same position.

By Renato Maisani, Goal Italy Chief Editor

It is impossible to imagine Sergio Ramos at Inter because of the club's major financial issues. 

The Nerazzurri are trying to get rid of players on high salaries, such as Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sanchez, and it is a struggle to imagine them thinking they can take on the wages that Ramos would likely demand.

By Romeo Agresti, Juventus Correspondent

At this moment, it does not seem like Juventus can afford the salary that Ramos would need.

They already have Matthijs de Ligt, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini - who is going to renew his contract for another year - at centre-back, and so the Bianconeri have other priorities in this transfer window.

They could yet sell Merih Demiral if an excellent offer arrives, but that money would likely be invested in other areas of the team.

We know very well that, in the transfer market, the race is always open, so never say never.

But Ramos for Juventus would, right now, be a disproportionate luxury.

By Neil Jones, Liverpool Correspondent

I think it's safe to see we won't be seeing Sergio Ramos rock up at Anfield any time soon.

The Spaniard remains something of an enemy of Liverpool, his antics in the 2018 Champions League final far from forgotten, both inside and outside the club.

"A brutal wrestler," Jurgen Klopp called him after his tangle with Mohamed Salah, which forced the Egyptian to leave the field in Kyiv inside half an hour. Salah has never forgiven Ramos for what he perceived as a reckless, and possibly deliberate, attempt to injure him.

Klopp admitted before Liverpool's meeting with Madrid in March that his anger had subsided somewhat, but Ramos' apparent lack of remorse did not go down well with Salah and his team-mates, who have largely kept their displeasure to themselves.

Of course, that's not the only reason why a move for Ramos is a non-starter. Liverpool have just spent £36m ($50m) on a new centre-back in Ibrahima Konate, and have Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all closing in on a return to fitness.

Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams are at the club, Billy Koumetio is seen as one for the future and Ben Davies, signed in January, is still on the books. They needed Ramos last November, not now.

Throw in his age and wage demands, and you can see why it's easy to rule this one out. A wonderful player, for sure, a winner and a warrior, and one who would benefit most clubs.

Not Liverpool though. And certainly not now.

By Jonathan Smith, Man City Correspondent

When it became clear that contract talks with Madrid were not going the way that Ramos was hoping, Manchester City was speculated as a potential destination.

But club sources have told Goal that there was no interest in the veteran defender, despite him being available on a free transfer.

Pep Guardiola already has four top quality centre-backs in Ruben Dias, John Stones, Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake to choose from, and while it is possible that there could be some changes in that position over the summer, City are not actively pursuing a new defender.

After turning 35 in March and missing more than half the season through injury, Ramos does not fit the age or profile of players that City are looking at in this window either.

By Charlotte Duncker, Man Utd Correspondent

Of all the potential destinations for Ramos this summer, Manchester United will likely be near the top of those mentioned most frequently. 

The centre-back has been linked with a move to Old Trafford countless times before, and he very nearly joined the Red Devils when Louis van Gaal was in charge.

But a move for him this time around, even if he is a free agent, remains very unlikely.

United are looking to sign a centre-back in this window, but Ramos' team-mate Raphael Varane and compatriot Pau Torres are their favoured options, rather than a 35-year-old who would cost a huge amount in wages. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is trying to build a squad to compete both now and in the future, while Ramos would merely be a stop-gap option, with only a couple of years left before he retires. 

Although nothing is impossible, and many would not have predicted veteran striker Edinson Cavani ending up at Old Trafford this time last year, Ramos to United remains very unlikely given Solskjaer's long-term plan.

By Ryan Tolmich, Assistant Editor/MLS Reporter

While the idea of Ramos in MLS is a fun one from both an on and off-field perspective, it would certainly be a tricky one to pull off.

Firstly, there are only so many teams that could truly attract Ramos, with the most likely landing spots being in Los Angeles, New York or Miami. Of those, Miami has been seen as the most likely, but the club is already in hot water with the league for the mismanagement of their current Designated Player situation.

Secondly, there are not many teams that are willing to spend big money and use a DP slot on a defender, even one with Ramos' quality and star power.

He could, theoretically, end up with New York City FC as part of a deal with Manchester City, but the club has shied away from those types of signings in recent years, with the focus more on young stars like recent arrival Talles Magno.

He also could end up with LAFC, but they are not a club that has shown any desire to sign aging stars.

So, as things stand, file Ramos-to-MLS as one to be skeptical about.

By Naim Beneddra, Goal France

The signing of Ramos by PSG has not been ruled out, and there are several reasons why such a move would make sense.

The first is that he remains a world-class player, and his signing would allow Parc des Princes outfit to yet again make clear its lofty ambitions.

Nasser Al-Khelaifi has made it clear that he wants to hit the transfer market hard this summer, and though centre-back may not be where PSG were initially prioritising, when an opportunity like this presents itself, it would be a mistake not to take advantage of it.

The other reason that a potential signing seems credible is that Ramos is a dressing room leader, and PSG currently lack players with that same authority. The fact that Ramos speaks the same language as manager Mauricio Pochettino means that he could even be the coach's biggest ally on the pitch.

In addition, the arrival of Ramos could allow Pochettino to play a three-man defence, a tactical system which he has previously enjoyed some success with.

If Achraf Hakimi were to also arrive this summer and Juan Bernat regains his place on the left after injury, a three-man defence of Ramos, Presnel Kimpembe and Marquinhos certainly has potential.

The only issue that could stop Ramos arriving in PSG could be the potential detrimental effect it could have on the rest of the squad, particularly if Pochettino retains his normal four-man backline.

Neither Ramos nor Kimpembe or Marquinhos would want to play second fiddle, and as such the Ligue 1 giants must weigh up all potential outcomes before making an offer.

By Renato Maisani, Goal Italy Chief Editor

For some weeks now, there have been reports circulating in Italy that new Roma boss Jose Mourinho has contacted Ramos to propose that he moves to Stadio Olimpico.

The pair have a relationship from Mourinho's time in charge of Madrid, and though they at times clashed in the Spanish capital, they could still reconcile if they came together at Roma.

It is obviously a difficult deal to do, in part because Roma cannot offer Champions League football for next season, but it seems that Mourinho has at least tried to tempt Ramos.

By Francisco Rico, Goal Spain reporter

Having come through the Sevilla academy, there had been some speculation that Ramos could return to his boyhood club, 16 years after he left Andalusia.

However, even before those rumours could pick up steam, the veteran defender poured cold water on them during his farewell press conference.

"Sevilla is the other club in my heart where I had a great time," he said, "but at the moment there is nothing on the table about going back."