Sergio Ramos encourages Real Madrid to make fresh move for Manchester United star David De Gea

Sergio Ramos has claimed that he would sign David De Gea because the Manchester United number one "is one of the best" keepers in the world and Real Madrid should always aspire to have the best players in their ranks. Yet, the club captain said that he also has much respect to current teammates Keilor Navas and Kiko Casilla after the Costa Rican has evidently been one of the best players of the league during the current season.

De Gea was on the verge to move to the Santiago Bernabeu during the summer transfer window after Real Madrid and United reached an agreement on deadline day, with Navas expecting to make the move in the opposite direct to replace him at Old Trafford. However, the deal collapsed at the very last minute as paperwork did not arrive at La Liga headquarters on time.

The United ace consequently signed a new four-year deal at Old Trafford while Navas remain at Real Madrid, with both being arguably the best player of their respective sides during the season.

Yet, reports in Spain have since claimed that Real Madrid officials are still considering to make a new move for De Gea in the summer, with Marca even claiming the keeper would be available for just €40m (£31.2m, $44.9m) due to a release clause in the contract he signed last summer.

Questioned during an interview with El Partido de las 12 whether he would sign De Gea, Ramos said: "Well... Talking about players who aren't here would be a lack of respect to Keylor, Kiko Casilla and Rubén, but as I have always said: only the best players should be here at Madrid and if the powers that be think that he should come... for me De Gea is one of the best."

Ramos himself was also involved in a transfer saga with Manchester United during the summer after some discrepancies with president Florentino Perez. He admitted that he considered then to move to Old Trafford but ended instead signing a new lucrative deal at Real Madrid.

Asked whether United made him an official offer to move to Old Trafford, he confirmed: "Yes, at one point I did think about making a change, but at the end of the day my priority has always been Real Madrid and I thought about a change for other reasons.

"I was maybe a little disappointed (with Real Madrid) during that time, but all of those problems were resolved and everyone's happy, but it wasn't an economic issue like some people made out."