Jose Mourinho returns to Italy to coach Roma on a three-year deal.
Jose Mourinho returns to Italy to coach Roma on a three-year deal. POOL / Clive Brunskill

Jose Mourinho has reportedly been in contact with Sergio Ramos over a potential move to Roma ahead of the 2021-22 season.

Mourinho believes Ramos’ addition will add a wealth of experience, knowledge, and mentality to Roma’s team, reported Italian media outlet Calciomercato. The signing will not be easy for Roma as top European clubs such as Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), and AC Milan are chasing Ramos, who has left Real Madrid on a free transfer.

Ramos and Mourinho spent three seasons together at Real Madrid, where they won the Copa del Rey in 2011 and La Liga in 2012.

When Roma inquired with Ramos about a switch to Italy, the Spaniard had demanded wage as high as $18 million a year. While Roma are unlikely to match that, the club is hopeful of Mourinho being able to convince Ramos to accept a lower fee at Roma, according to the Italian soccer news website The Cult of Calcio. If Roma manage to sign Ramos, the Serie A club would part ways with Chris Smalling, who has drawn attention from Premier League club Everton.

After spending as long as 16 years at Real Madrid, Ramos recently parted ways with the club. The former Santiago Bernabeu skipper cited disagreements over his new contract as the reason for his decision to leave the La Liga giants.

Earlier, when Mourinho was asked about Ramos’ links with Premier League, the Portuguese boss told talkSport, "You look at Thiago Silva and he’s in a similar situation [to Ramos]. He didn’t stay in Paris when people expected him to. He came to Chelsea, signed for one season with an option for one more, he didn’t play every match, he had a couple of little muscular issues, but he gave great stability in big matches. You can imagine how much he helped the team to develop and his leadership. I believe Ramos is in a similar situation."

Sergio Ramos is entering the final six months of his Real Madrid contract

Sergio Ramos is entering the final six months of his Real Madrid contract Photo: AFP / JORGE GUERRERO

Meanwhile, Ramos has made it clear that he won’t return to his boyhood club Seville and will not join Real Madrid’s El Classico rivals FC Barcelona, according to Sports Bibble.