Spain international defender Sergio Ramos has told Real Madrid that he wants to leave the club for Manchester United this summer, according to a report in The Guardian.
The 29-year-old has been informed by the Spanish giants of a €40 million offer from United, and Sky Sports reports they are his desired destination despite reported interest from Manchester City.
ESPN FC reported earlier on Monday that United have no desire to go above €40m for the player.
Real Madrid have reportedly demanded £65m for Ramos -- which would break the British transfer record, which was set when United paid them £59.7m for Angel Di Maria last summer.
The former Sevilla defender's contract expires in 2017 and talks about an extension are said to have broken down.
But despite the fact that Real rejected United's first offer and while manager Louis van Gaal has around £150 million to spend this summer, the English club do not want to be held to ransom.
Even at €40m, Ramos could, depending upon the fluctuating pound-euro exchange rate, become the costliest defender in United's history, replacing Rio Ferdinand, who cost £30m when he was signed as a 23-year-old from Leeds in 2002.
Ramos has won the World Cup and two European Championships with Spain plus the Champions League and three La Liga titles with Real.
ESPN FC's Richard Jolly contributed to this report.