Transfer News: Sergio Ramos Will Not Leave Real Madrid Says Rafa Benitez

Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez has spoiled Manchester United’s chance to acquire Sergio Ramos after announcing that the Spanish defender will be part of his plans for the upcoming season. Benitez, who was appointed as new coach of Los Blancos after the dismissal of Carlo Ancelotti due to a lackluster performance last season, has cooled down talks of Ramos’ possible move to Old Trafford.

The 29-year-old Ramos was believed to have been insistent to leave Real earlier this summer after frustrations over his contract situation in Spain. Benitez shot down speculations about Ramos’ future after saying that the club’s president Florentino Perez has commented that Ramos will be staying at Bernabeu as noted by Standardmedia.co.ke.

"I have spoken to him at length in the summer about his ideas, about his future. I see Sergio as an integral part of our team, he’s a winner and that’s what we need in our team,” Benitez said.

Benitez praised Ramos for being an “enormous professional.” He added that Ramos does everything the team has asked of him. United was reportedly willing to offer a five-year deal worth £38.3 million for Ramos, but Real turned down the deal to test the club’s second resolve for the Spaniard footballer.

Meanwhile, Benitez has been impressed by Gareth Bale’s ability to play as No. 10 for Real after their friendly loss against AS Roma in Melbourne on Saturday. The 55-year-old manager suggested he could play Bale in a central role in the future according to the reports of Goal.com.

"Obviously, he can play different positions in the final third. This one is an option and I like this option if he can do well,” the former Napoli boss said.

Roma defeated Real with a 7-6 penalty shootout in front of more than 80,000 people at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The match had a scoreless 90 minutes before heading into penalties. Seydou Keita netted the winning penalty kick after Roma goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis saved Lucas Vazquez’s attempt.

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