Reports: Roma Could Pursue Free Agent Sergio Ramos

Here it is, your obligatory “José Mourinho is trying to convince Sergio Ramos” story. After the Spanish legend parted ways with his former club Real Madrid earlier this week, it was only a matter of time before people concocted a reunion between The Special One and the 35-year-old free-agent center-back.

There aren't many instances in which Roma fans can sympathize with Real Madrid followers, but I think we all remember the shock and pain of seeing a club legend leave the team under, shall we say, less than ideal circumstances. But, where we were spared the sight of seeing Francesco Totti in a different shirt, Madrid fans will have no such luck with Ramos who, despite being 35-years-old, is sure to have plenty of teams desperate for his signature.

And if you believe reports in the Italian press (which are too numerous to count at this point), Roma will be one of several teams interested in inking the Madrid legend to a free-agent deal this summer. With everyone from Milan to Manchester City rumored to have put out Ramos feelers, it won't be an easy sale job but word is spreading that Mourinho has already put in a call to his former defender.

With young players like Gianluca Mancini, Roger Ibañez, and Marash Kumbulla patrolling Roma's backline, it’s fair to question whether or not Roma even needs Ramos, but with Juan Jesus out the door, Federico Fazio being put out to pasture soon and with Everton supposedly interested in Chris Smalling, Roma may soon have a vacancy for a veteran defender.

Ramos may have been a bit player at the Bernabeau this past season—only two goals and 1,275 minutes in 15 La Liga appearances—but he's only one year removed from a 35 start, three-thousand-minute campaign in 2019-2020; one in which he added a career-high 11 goals for good measure. Since turning 30-years-old during the 2016-2017 season, Ramos has been a lock for 30 appearances or more in every successive season, suggesting there may be significant life left in his legs.

It will likely take all of Mourinho’s persuasive powers to lure Ramos to the Italian capital, but if you're of the mindset that all clubs need at least one veteran center-back, you could do a lot worse than Sergio Ramos.