Manchester United could complete a move that's been more than a decade in the making as one of Louis van Gaal's dream signings comes up for discussion in January
Louis van Gaal celebrates victory during the Dutch Kitchen Champion Division match between SC Telstar and Jong AZ Alkmaar at the Buko Stadium
Manchester United could get their hands on one target Louis van Gaal wanted a decade ago
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Manchester United could finally land one of Louis van Gaal's former targets with Sergio Ramos now a free agent. The Real Madrid legend signed for Mexican outfit Monterrey back in February after one season back at his beloved Sevilla.
His Mexican adventure wrapped up after 10 months, with Ramos confirming his exit from the club earlier this month. With no indication he's ready to hang up his boots just yet, the 39-year-old hasn't yet revealed his next destination, though United are among several clubs reportedly keen.
Spanish publication Cadena SER made the initial claim, though ESPN have subsequently suggested the Premier League giants aren't actively pursuing the centre-back. If Ramos were to make his maiden voyage to the Premier League, it would represent a decade-long pursuit finally coming to fruition.
He featured prominently on Van Gaal's shopping list when the Dutchman took charge at Old Trafford in 2014. He had plans to partner Ramos alongside former Germany international Mats Hummels, who was shining in his first stint with Borussia Dortmund at the time.
Discussing the players who got away during his United tenure, Van Gaal told FourFourTwo: "I wanted [Robert] Lewandowski, but when this proved difficult I tried to get Gonzalo Higuain instead. Before I had arrived, I also spoke with the board about Neymar. If you are at United, you have to think big.
"He was also interesting for the club in terms of selling shirts, and I wanted to have quick wingers. For that reason, I also tried to get Sadio Mane and Riyad Mahrez. Thomas Muller was on my wish list, too, and in central midfield I wanted N'Golo Kante.
"I even tried to sign James Milner, who was already quite old but very multi-functional and possessed leadership skills. For the defence, I wanted Ramos and Mats Hummels, because ours wasn't the strongest in building from the back.
Sergio Ramos of Monterrey says goodbye to the fans after the semifinals second leg match between Toluca and Monterrey as part of the Torneo Apertura 2025 Liga MX at Nemesio Diez Stadium on December 6, 2025 in Toluca, Mexico
Ramos waved goodbye to Monterrey(Image: 2025 Jam Media)
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"Those were my top targets, but we couldn't get any of them. I don't know why, because as the manager I wasn't involved in any negotiations. After I left, players like Mahrez and Kante ended up at Manchester City and Chelsea, while United couldn't get them. I found that very odd."
With the January transfer window approaching, Ruben Amorim may well be considering defensive reinforcements, particularly given the injury problems affecting Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt. The availability of the fit-again Lisandro Martinez also raises concerns as the Argentinian has managed just 61 Premier League outings since his 2022 arrival.
Discussing potential squad additions, Amorim recently said: "We want to bring players, everyone here, we want to bring players that we can see a big future in Manchester United.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United at Molineux on December 8, 2025 in Wolverhampton, England.
Ruben Amorim is supposedly weighing up his options to recruit on a budget next month
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"We are not just buying one guy because now we feel in December that we need this kind of player for now. We want to buy players that we know we are not going to change a lot of times. So that is our idea.
"I don't know what is going to happen. But of course, we think about how we can improve the team, and in January, the window is open, we can do something."
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