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Spain: Real Madrid to use Owen cash to bid for Sevilla's Ramos [Wed Aug 31st, 2005]
Madrid (Reuters) - Real Madrid are expected to use the 15 million pounds raised by the sale of striker Michael Owen to buy Sevilla's Spanish international defender Sergio Ramos before the transfer window closes.
Spanish media reported that the 19-year-old, who can play at right back and in central defence, had finalised personal terms with Real on Tuesday night and that the two clubs had agreed a deal.
Sevilla issued a statement on their website saying the player would only leave if Real Madrid paid the full 27-million euros (US$32.94 million) stipulated in the player's buy-out clause.
"Sevilla will only sell the player if Madrid pay the club the buy-out clause of 27 million euros, plus the 4,320,000 euros of VAT, the 15 percent cut due to the player and the 5 percent commission for intermediaries," read the statement.
Ramos has made no secret of wanting to join Real and upped the pressure on Sevilla on Tuesday by saying he hoped they would accept a reasonable offer from the nine-time European champions.
"I was told that Sevilla would consider an important offer from Real Madrid and there is still time before the transfer window closes for that to happen," Ramos told reporters when he arrived in Madrid to train with the Spain squad.
Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido insisted he had no intention of selling the player, adding that Real counterpart Florentino Perez had promised that he would not make a bid for the player this year.
"Florentino Perez has given me his word -- and I have no reason to doubt it -- that he will not try and sign Sergio Ramos this season," Del Nido said.
Real bought Sevilla striker Julio Baptista earlier in the close season for a fee of up to 24.5 million euros. They spent an additional 35 million euros on recruiting Brazilian striker Robinho and Uruguayan duo Pablo Garcia and Carlos Diogo.
If Ramos does sign for Real he would join Jonathan Woodgate in the battle to force a way into the starting back four.
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