Manchester United will be very lucky to sign Sergio Ramos - Ramon Calderon

Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon says Sergio Ramos's stand-off with Real Madrid has left the player "very unhappy", but does not believe the club will allow him to leave.

Cadena Cope reported on Sunday (21 June) that Manchester United would open negotiations with Real Madrid and Ramos on Monday. The Spain international, who has two years remaining on his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu, has been locked in negotiations over a new deal since the end of the 2014-15 season. It is claimed United are ready to offer him deal worth €10m (£7.2m) a year, a hefty increase on his current earnings of €6m.

Spanish Daily AS, who initially reported that Ramos is ready to leave the La Liga giants, reported on Tuesday that Man Utd will offer €30m and David de Gea to lure the defender to Old Trafford.

Calderon, however, does not believe Real will allow such a highly regarded player to leave.

"Sergio Ramos is an icon for the fans of Real Madrid, he is a leader on and off the field," he told talkSPORT.

"I don't know if he is the best centre-back in the world but no doubt he is one of the best.

"He can play as a right-back, a midfielder and he was a striker at the beginning of his career. He is also a very strong character.

"Having said that, it is clear that he is unhappy because the president has refused to extend his contract and increase his salary. I find that to be a punishment because he supported publicly Carlo Ancelotti and said it was a mistake to sack him, and also is backing Iker Casillas.

"Let us see what happens in the next few weeks. It is going to be very exciting to know what is happening. If Sergio goes to Manchester United, they will be very lucky."