Sergio Ramos Takes One More Step Towards Manchester United After Poll In Madrid Fans Thinks He Should Be Sold

Sergio Ramos has taken another step towards joining Manchester United after a fan poll revealed 55 per cent of Real Madrid supporters now believe he should be sold.

Fans originally rejected the idea of selling the club’s captain but of 25,000 who voted in the Diario AS survey over half now say they would back the club’s decision to let him join Manchester United.

For Real Madrid president Florentino Perez – ever the populist wary of a supporters backlash over the decision – this represents the removal of another barrier to him selling the Spain international.

The sale of Ramos, along with the departure of Iker Casillas could mean Real Madrid kick-off next season without a single outfield Spanish player in their starting XI.

If Rafa Benitez starts the season with: Danillo, Raphael Varane, Pepe, Marcelo, Toni Kross, Luka Modric, James Rodriguez, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo, Madrid’s first XI would boast a mix of two Brazilians, two Frenchman, two Portuguese, a German, a Croatian, a Welshman and a Colombian, but no Spaniards. 

But despite that prospect the majority of Madrid supporters are no longer against the sale of the 29-year-old.

Real Madrid have refused to increase their offer of £5.3m (€7.5m) net a season to Ramos who wants £7.1m (€10m) and a parting of the ways between club and player now looks inevitable.

Ramos' departure could have positive consequences for Cristiano Ronaldo who would become Real Madrid captain in the Spaniard's absence.

Tradition at Real Madrid dictate that the longest serving player takes the captaincy and Ronaldo would be second in line behind Marcelo who is not always a regular starter.

Ronaldo is just 10 goals from becoming Real Madrid’s all-time top scorer and with Ramos at Old Trafford the Portuguese forward could reach the historic milestone as captain.