Ramos not leaving Real Madrid: Coach Benitez

Ajax goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen has been lined up as a replacement if De Gea goes this summer and United have entered talks with free-agent Sergio Romero, who they hope will replace the unwanted Victor Valdes.

Benitez was then asked about the departure of club legend Iker Casillas and the possible arrival of David De Gea from Manchester United, to where the coach toed the company line and insists that he had confidence in the goalkeepers on the roster.

“Once I get to know him more and understand how he thinks then I will be able to speak more openly about how he will work in the group dynamic”. “I see our future with Sergio because he’s a key player due to his quality on the pitch, mentality and leadership in the dressing room”.

Madrid are willing to increase their offer to De Gea to €5million a year after tax – the equivalent of around £140,000 a week gross.

Real are also reported to be pursuing Espanyol goalkeeper Kiko Casilla and Manchester United’s David De Gea.

Van Gaal said: “I can not say anything else but his attitude has been fantastic”.

The Real Madrid centre-back doesn’t care if you’re a teammate, close friend or a family member. As such, it’d be a major surprise if they were to give up on the Spain global so early in the window.

Manchester has put in a 29 million pound bid to sign Ramos away from Real Madrid and is likely to come back with a bigger bid. “He is a fundamental player for both his talent and leadership in the dressing room”.

Jonny Evans, on the other hand, could still have a role to play.

The Catalan side have taken the fight to Madrid in the transfer market in recent seasons though, signing Neymar, Luis Suarez and now Arda Turan, while failing in an attempt to lure Paul Pogba from Juventus.

Arsenal are in need of a striker, and should Benzema make the move to the Emirates Stadium, he’d be the main man in advanced areas.

Goal quote the former Liverpool chief as saying: “De Gea is not our player at the moment and that is not our subject at the moment”. “With the commitment and motivation that I see in him, I believe he can be a great captain”.