Madrid manager Benitez insists Sergio Ramos is not for sale

Recently appointed Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez maintains that star center-back Sergio Ramos will not be leaving the Bernabeu this summer, despite reports suggesting a possible transfer to Manchester United.

"I spoke to him regarding his future, his ideas, and our ideas during this summer and when we started training in Madrid," Benitez told Marca, courtesy of The Telegraph. "We have not spoken again about it.

"I believe (Madrid president Florentino Perez) has said, perhaps not publicly but I have read it somewhere, that Ramos will continue and that he will remain here."

Several reports this transfer period have suggested a possible swap between United 'keeper David De Gea and Ramos, as Real's interest in the star shot-stopper has dominated transfer discussions and rumours.

Manchester United are desperate to strengthen their back-line this summer for fear that a center-back pairing of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones is not enough to win the Premier League, with Ramos and Valencia's Nicolas Otamendi being heavily linked with the club.