Manchester United make £28.6 million bid for Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos

In an attempt to strengthen its defence, Manchester United have made a staggering £28.6 million bid for Real Madrid's star defender Sergio Ramos.

The 29-year-old, whose contract runs till 2017, is reportedly unhappy with Real Madrid after they failed to extend his contract, the BBC reported.

Ramos, who joined Real from Sevilla in 2005, has played 445 games for the La Liga club.

The Spaniard played an instrumental role in helping Real lift the 2014 Champions League trophy, including scoring their injury-time equaliser. 

United manager Louis van Gaal is seeking to shore up the Premier League club's defence to help improve on last season's fourth-place finish.

United confirmed earlier on Monday that defender Phil Jones had signed a contract extension until at least 2019.