Ramos’ next move: Premier League question returns after Monterrey exit

December 11, 2025 Oliver Obel

Sergio Ramos’ time in Mexico ended quietly last week a short club statement from CF Monterrey confirmed his departure, closing a brief but lively chapter for the veteran defender. What comes next, however, is already generating far more noise. At 39, Ramos is weighing whether to take on one last challenge, and the Premier League has again entered the conversation.

The notion isn’t new, but this time feels slightly different. With Ramos now a free agent and openly considering European offers, the long-running question of whether he might finally appear in England has resurfaced with fresh momentum.

A career measured in eras, not seasons

Few defenders have shaped an era the way Ramos did at Real Madrid. Across 16 seasons he collected four Champions League titles, multiple La Liga trophies, and a reputation for thriving in matches where tension hung in the air. He remained influential well into his late 30s GIVEMESPORT pointed out that he became the fifth-oldest scorer in Champions League history in 2023, a statistic that neatly captures his longevity.

Spain’s national team leaned on him just as heavily. Ramos debuted in 2005, became a fixture in the squad almost instantly, and left the international stage with 180 appearances still the most by any male Spanish player.

Given that résumé, the idea of him testing himself in England has been floated for more than a decade but never materialised. Until now, perhaps.

Manchester United test the waters again

According to Spanish outlet Cadena Ser reporting cited by The Peoples Person Manchester United have submitted an offer for Ramos following his exit from Monterrey. People around the player have indicated he hopes to return to Europe, even though Monterrey were interested in keeping him after a solid showing in Liga MX.

United’s admiration stretches back years. Ramos himself recalled in a 2023 interview with The Mirror that he was “indeed close to playing for United” during negotiations nearly a decade ago.

That attempt was well-publicised at the time. Sky Sports reported that Sir Alex Ferguson’s United had tabled a bid worth £28.6 million in 2015, only for Real Madrid to persuade Ramos to stay. That decision guided him into one of the most successful stretches of his career.

But today’s United operate differently

The timing of this latest link is curious. Under manager Ruben Amorim and the INEOS-led football structure, United have shifted toward younger, long-term projects. The recent arrivals of Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven underline that shift.

Bringing in Ramos who turns 40 early next year would run counter to almost every transfer signal United have sent over the past 18 months.

And there is the footballing reality: the Premier League’s pace and physical demands have humbled players far younger than Ramos. His experience may still be invaluable, but integrating a 40-year-old centre-back into a rebuilding squad is a complicated fit.

What to watch in the coming weeks

Ramos is expected to assess formal offers soon, and clubs in Spain and Italy reportedly remain attentive to his situation. Whether United choose to push their interest beyond the exploratory stage may depend on injuries, squad balance, and how much they value a short-term leader in the dressing room.

For now, the possibility remains alive not guaranteed, not dismissed, simply hovering in the way late-career transfer sagas often do.

Sources: GIVEMESPORT, Cadena Ser, The Peoples Person, The Mirror, Sky Sports