Manchester United prepared to offer Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos same wages as Wayne Rooney

Manchester United will attempt to lure Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos by making him an offer that would see him earn as much as Wayne Rooney, according to AS.

The Spanish daily claims Ramos, 29, will be offered a deal worth €55m (£39m) over the next five years, earning €12m of that in his first season at the club before his yearly earnings slide to €10m per season as part of an offer that would allow him to see out the rest of his career at the Premier League club.

Ramos currently earns €6m a year but is looking for a new deal that will see him receive €10m – roughly the salary Gareth Bale earns in the Spanish capital.

The deal would make the Spain international one of United's best-paid players, equal to that of captain Rooney, who signed his lucrative deal in 2014.

AS initially reported on Sunday (21 June) that Ramos had informed the club of his decision to leave the Santiago Bernabeu, claiming on Wednesday the player had met with club officials to discuss his uncertain future.

Ramos has been locked in contract negotiations presided over by club president Florentino Perez since the end of the 2014-15 season to discuss an extension to his current deal which expires in 2017.

On 23 June, a story in Marca claimed Ramos said he was "relaxed" about reports linking him with a move away from Real Madrid during the summer transfer window, with the defender refusing to rule out an exit from the Santiago Bernabeu.

The future of United goalkeeper David de Gea is likely to play a pivotal role in ongoing talks. AS have suggested the Premier League giants have offered €30m the services of Real Madrid target David de Gea to complete the signing of Ramos.

De Gea has just one year remaining on his current deal at Old Trafford and has shown little desire to renew.