Manchester United have had their hopes of signing Sergio Ramos from Real Madrid squashed, it has been claimed in Spain.
The Red Devils have been hunting Ramos after he became unhappy at Real Madrid, with the club's failure to meet his contractual demands over a new deal and alleged leaks against his brother and agent Rene creating bad feeling between the centre-back and the club.
Louis van Gaal even slapped in an official offer for Ramos and despite seeing it rejected had not lost hope of signing the defender as Manchester United made dealing over the Spaniard a pre-requisite for David de Gea heading to the Bernabeu.
But Real Madrid have moved quickly to heal the wounds between the club and Ramos – and president Florentino Perez held constructive talks with Ramos in China on the club's pre-season tour yesterday.
Now, according to Spanish TV programme El Chiringuito, the matter has been settled and Ramos will remain at Real Madrid.
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The Spanish giants have promised to seal his contract renewal when he returns to Spain ahead of the new season.
For Van Gaal the news will be a blow, especially as he has already seen another defensive target in the shape of Mats Hummels turn away from a move earlier this summer.
The only game in town for the Dutchman now may be Valencia's Nicolas Otamendi.
