Real Madrid: Sergio Ramos, Florentino Pérez hold Valdebebas talks
Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez is understood to have sat down with Sergio Ramos on Friday, in what could be a late turnaround in the club captain's contract negotiations.
Friday 11 June
Sergio Ramos went to Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training ground on Friday, at about noon. Those who saw him arrive were somewhat surprised, as the club captain had not been in for about a week. The same sources reveal that Madrid president Florentino Pérez was also at the training ground at that time, and that Pérez and Ramos held a meeting.
All smiles
After Pérez and Ramos’ meeting had concluded, witnesses say they could both be seen with smiles on their faces, with an appearance of satisfaction, as they left Valdebebas separately. Could this mean the defender has now accepted the contract terms the club has offered, and is set to stay at the Bernabéu? We can’t say for sure; all we know is the pair appear to have sat down together.
Negotiations
Talks over a new deal had seemed dead in the water, with everything pointing to a Ramos exit on 1 July, when his current Madrid contract expires. In negotiations that have taken place directly between Ramos and Pérez, without intermediaries, Madrid have hitherto been unable to reach an agreement with the 35-year-old Spain international, who has been at the club since 2005. However, Friday’s apparent talks could signal a late turnaround.
Rumours
Among Madrid chiefs, there has been the feeling that Ramos has agreed a pre-contract with another club, something which FIFA rules allow him to do in the final six months of his deal. It has been rumoured that Ramos privately revealed at the end of the league season that he had signed for Paris Saint-Germain, while reports have also surfaced of recent contact between Ramos and Pep Guardiola, the Manchester City boss allegedly sounding out the player’s interest in a move to the Premier League champions.
Keeping schtum
All the friction and rumours that have characterised these protracted negotiations would be forgotten at a stroke if Ramos and Pérez were able to come to an accord on Friday. AS has been told by several sources that the talks took place, but attempts to confirm this with either party have been unsuccessful (they may have agreed not to make the meeting known yet).