Rafael Benitez has remained tight-lipped about the speculation over the future of Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos with Manchester United said to be preparing an offer to lure him to Old Trafford.

Real have been strongly linked with a move for United ace David De Gea but the Premier League club appear set on testing the resolve of the Spanish giants of keeping their star defender by demanding him as part of any deal for the goalkeeper.

Ramos himself has said he is “relaxed” over the rumours although some quarters believe the transfer talk is helping him negotiate a new deal at the Bernabeu.

The 29-year-old still has two years to run on his current contract, in which there is a buyout clause of £145m, in the Spanish capital so there is perhaps still time for Real to play with.

Benitez is still getting his feet under the table at the Bernabeu after replacing the sacked Carlo Ancelotti earlier this summer, and is remaining coy on the speculation.

“The fans are wondering whether we’re going to see changes to the positions of certain players,” Benitez told Realmadrid.com. “My backroom team and I have been following the players and have been in contact with them from the first moment.

“So, firstly I have to say that the attitude to their work that they’ve all shown me, Sergio, Iker, Cristiano, Bale, Pepe, Varane, everyone, has been excellent.

“The first thing I’ve done is listen, find out what went well and not so well last year, their impressions, what in their opinion could be improved and what they’d like to be done.

“I’ve done the same with all the technical staff and professionals at the club and, with all that information, once all together we’ll decide what’s best for the team and for every one of them.

“They’ve all shown a very good attitude to their work and I’ve conveyed to them that the technical staff will be there for them for anything they need.”

Ramos is not the only player linked with a move away with Benitez admitting that there will certainly be new players coming in, and it looks set for a very interesting summer at the Bernabeu as Los Blancos look to get the better of Barcelona next season.

The betting suggests that the La Liga battle will be between the big two again with Barca installed as the 1.67 favourites ahead of Real at 2.40, while Atletico Madrid are next best at 17.00.