Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos says he is "relaxed" amid transfer speculation linking the Spain international with a move to Manchester United or even La Liga rivals Barcelona.
Ramos has two years left on his contract at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, and reports have for months suggested that he is frustrated that Madrid president Florentino Perez has not offered him a new improved deal.
As the situation has grown increasingly complex over the last week, Barca presidential candidate Jordi Majo claimed to have been offered Ramos as a transfer target, while United look to be trying to take advantage of the situation to include the World Cup and double European Championship winner in any potential move by Madrid to sign current Reds goalkeeper David De Gea.
According to AS the player's brother and agent Rene Ramos met with United representatives as far back as April, with the Spanish paper now claiming that the Old Trafford outfit are set to offer €30 million plus De Gea to bring the 29-year-old to Manchester. The paper also reports that Ramos has been taking English classes through recent months.
Buenos días. Aquí está nuestra portada del martes http://t.co/t4WGyTjpsu pic.twitter.com/7G595mmk5V
- AS (@diarioas) June 23, 2015
While Madrid have not officially commented on the situation, Blancos coach Rafa Benitez did say he had spoken to Ramos about next season, although Benitez admitted at his presentation in May that he was not closely involved in transfer dealings at the club.
Ramos has been keeping a low profile while the speculation has raged, however he was caught by Marca's cameras apparently leaving the offices of his lawyer in Madrid, accompanied by brother Rene.
Asked if he was "relaxed" about the speculation by a persistent reporter on the scene, Ramos responded "I'm always relaxed." The Andalucian, whose partner TV presenter Pilar Rubio is currently pregnant with their second child, then got into his white BMW coupe and drove quickly away.
The unsettled position of one Madrid's iconic players is also having an effect on Barcelona's upcoming presidential elections, where candidates always look to sway club members' votes with the possibility of big-name signings.
When revealing he had been offered the chance to sign Ramos, outsider Majo denied he was interested, saying he did not want to get involved in such "games."
Former Blaugrana chief Joan Laporta, a frontrunner to regain the position alongside outgoing president Josep Maria Bartomeu, is interested in taking up the offer -- according to El Confidencial.
Laporta was asked about the situation while launching his candidacy, on Monday, and claimed to not be interested.
"I have had no proposal about Ramos," Laporta said. "It is all the fruit of him finishing his contract, and looking to gain advantages."