With the Spain star having brought down the curtain on his time at Santiago Bernabeu, Goal breaks down the clubs he could join this summer
After 16 years, Sergio Ramos' time as a Real Madrid player is over, with the defender having bid a tearful farewell to life at Santiago Bernabeu on Thursday.
A four-time Champions League winner with the Blancos, Ramos' status as a legend of the club cannot be questioned, and he leaves as one of the greatest defenders of the modern era.
His career, though, is not over, and as one of the most competitive players of the past decade or so, surely Ramos wants to continue playing at the highest level possible.
With that in mind, Goal's correspondents from around the world have laid exactly why their club will – or won't – be looking to sign Ramos this summer…
Getty ImagesAC Milan
We all know that Paolo Maldini is Sergio Ramos' idol, and that the Spain star really admires AC Milan's history, but their chances of signing him this summer are very low because of his high salary demands.
Milan, too, are spending €28 million (£25m/$33m) to sign Fikayo Tomori, and they already have a defensive leader in Simon Kjaer.
They will be the starting duo for Stefano Pioli next season, so there is no room for Ramos.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesArsenal
Sergio Ramos has been, and remains, a wonderful defender and there is no doubt Arsenal could do with someone of his quality in the heart of the defence.
In a team that lacks leadership, he would add organisation, a will to win and be the type of figurehead who could lead the dressing room in north London.
But it is not, however, a move that is going to happen.
Financially, Arsenal simply would not be able to put a financial package together that could compete with the clubs across Europe who are looking at Ramos.
Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu, meanwhile, are focusing on bringing in young players this summer as part of their squad overhaul, with 23-year-old Brighton centre-back Ben White their priority defensive target.
So while the arrival of someone like Ramos would certainly improve Arsenal, on and off the pitch, this is one transfer race that the Gunners will not be joining.
GettyBarcelona
From an economic perspective, it is impossible for Barcelona to sign Ramos.
From a sporting perspective, it is impossible for Barcelona to sign Ramos.
In short, it is impossible for Barcelona to sign Ramos.
The man even confirmed it himself in his farwell press conference, saying: "As for Barcelona – impossible. You will never see Sergio Ramos in a Barcelona shirt."
Getty ImagesBayern Munich
Bayern have a good relationship with Real Madrid, good experiences with Spanish players in recent years (Xabi Alonso, Thiago Alcantara, Javi Martinez) and Ramos would definitely be a great transfer in terms of marketing and image… but it is very unlikely that he will come to Munich.
Bayern never showed any interest in Ramos as speculation over his future has grown in recent months, and have just signed Dayot Upamecano to bolster the centre of their defence.
They do not want to pay high salaries – that is why David Alaba and Jerome Boateng are leaving this summer – and with Julian Nagelsmann now in charge, the Bayern hierarchy want him to develop young players, like United States starlet Chris Richards.