Real Madrid accept Ramos will leave at end of season

Real Madrid have accepted that Sergio Ramos will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Negotiations over extending Ramos' deal have been ongoing for some months, with Real recently setting a deadline for their long serving defender and captain to make his decision.

According to journalist Siro Lopez (via Deportes COPE), Los Blancos' final hopes of tying him down to a new deal have now been extinguished. Ramos is said to have turned down Real's most recent contract offer, as well as indicating that he sees his future at another European club.

Unless the situation changes before the summer, it seems that Ramos' 16 year stint in the Spanish capital will soon end. Since joining the club in 2005, the 34-year-old has won a host of major honours, including (deep breath) four Champions Leagues, five La Liga titles and three UEFA Super Cups.

He has also thrived internationally, scooping two European Championship winners' medals and a World Cup between 2008 and 2012, as well as picking up an exhaustive list of individual accolades.

As soon as rumours of a departure began to surface, clubs were quick to show their interest. As reported by 90min back in November, all of the Premier League's 'big six' have considered a move for the veteran, but Paris Saint-Germain are understood to be leading the race.

Ramos was recently ruled out of action with a knee injury, with the problem set to keep him sidelined until late March at the earliest. The news was a bitter blow for Real who have endured a disappointing season so far.

Zinedine Zidane's side are currently eight points adrift of La Liga leaders and bitter rivals Atletico Madrid - who have a game in hand - while they also have a tough Champions League fixture against Atalanta to contend with later this month.