Real Madrid chief names three players ‘meddling’ Man United wanted to sign this summer

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has said Manchester United were interested in signing other players as well as Sergio Ramos this summer.

Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale has been a long-term target for Manchester United. Dani Pozo / AFP

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has said Manchester United were interested in signing three other players from the Spanish club as well as Sergio Ramos this summer.

United’s interest in Ramos was well-documented, although the Spain defender committed his long-term future to Madrid, leading many to wonder whether United were ultimately used to leverage a better contract.

And as the argument over the collapsed move for United goalkeeper David de Gea goes on, Perez has taken the chance to name Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Raphael Varane as the three players the Premier League club were keen to recruit.

“We know that United showed interest in Bale, Benzema and Varane,” he said. “I never saw Ramos leaving this club. He was never close to doing so.

“Manchester United meddled in the situation.

“Those who want to do harm to Real Madrid meddle, but nothing really happened, nothing more than happens every summer.”

Bale has been a long-term target for United, who attempted to sign the Welshman prior to his move to Madrid, and again last year following the arrival of Louis van Gaal to Old Trafford.

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