Jamie Carragher praises Manchester United's pursuit of Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher believes that Manchester United will be signing a top-class defender in Sergio Ramos if they manage to pull off the deal.

The Real Madrid defender has been heavily linked with a move to the English Premier League in recent weeks, with Sky Sports reporting that the Red Devils had submitted a bid in the region of £28.6m ($44.8m) to bring the defender to Old Trafford.

According to the Guardian, the defender has told the hierarchy of the Spanish capital club that he wishes to leave the Santiago Bernabeu this summer and his only preference is United, despite interest from local rivals Manchester City.

Carragher believes that the defender is of the highest quality, and is confident that he can strengthen the 20-time English champions with his experience of playing and winning on a regular basis for the 10-time European champions in the La Liga and Champions League.

"In Ramos Man Utd will be signing one of the top defenders in Europe and a leader if they can pull the deal off," Carragher wrote on sports social networking site KICCA.

"There is still a feeling that he's overrated in England which I disagree with. His trophy haul and playing for Real Madrid for so long shows his quality as the pressure to perform for club and country for so long is huge."

"At 29 he should be at his best and physically I think he'll be fine in the Premier League, but he will have to be careful with the referees who I'm sure will be aware of his disciplinary record if he arrives!"

However, in what could be a blow to United, the defender's mother indicated to a reporter from La Sexta on 30 June that her son was unlikely to move to the Premier League as he is keen to remain in Spain