We all knew it was inevitable.. Sergio Ramos has become yet another player who has used interest from Manchester United in order to sign an improved deal. Real Madrid have managed to keep the defender, and edge ever-closer to signing David De Gea.

Manchester United were hugely linked with a move for Ramos with Real Madrid’s interest in goalkeeper David De Gea potentially being used by United to their advantage in their attempts to sign the Spanish defender.

United were also reported to have offered Sergio Ramos an £8.5million-a-year contract as they looked to prise him from Real Madrid. Ramos’ discussions over a contract extension with Madrid were said to have stalled, meaning the Spaniard was free to hold talks with United.

Manchester United subsequently made a bid of around £29m for Ramos, but that was rejected.

It comes as a blow to United fans, who desperately want a new central defender to be recruited this summer. It also seems like centre-back target Nicolas Otamendi is close to a move to Manchester City, in what would be a bitter pill to swallow for United who have been linked with the defender all summer.

Otamendi was said to be available for around £35m, but reports claiming United were interested in the player were said to be hugely wide of the mark. The latest round of reports say that United were never interested in the Valencia defender.

It’s no secret United need a new central defender, so where do we look now?