It’s that time of year when big teams start to spend big money to fix the holes in their squads. Manchester United had a shaky looking defence last season and a big name who can marshal the troops is probably what they’re going to need to fix it.

So in the midst of Real Madrid’s pursuit of David De Gea, Manchester United have decided that they could bring a Madrid star in the opposite direction.

Sergio Ramos is that star.

At first this sounded like lazy paper talk. A case of journalists taking the bait as Ramos and his agent angled for a new contract. The rumours centred around Ramos’ contract negotiations and the fact that United could use this to play hardball over their own transfer negotiations. With Ramos’ contract talks stuttering, United could ask for a big name as part of their deal for De Gea.

Now that seems to have moved on quite simply to rumours of United pursuing Ramos as a straight-up signing. A figure of over £40m has been quoted, and Ramos could be heading to Old Trafford if the papers are to be believed. Madrid’s pursuit of a centre back of their own as a replacement is said to be on track, so why shouldn’t United sign Ramos?

Well one reason is the price tag. Not just because £40m is a ludicrous fee to pay for a defender (though in a market where David Luiz is worth £50m…) but because of Ramos’ age. Sure, he’s a top quality defender, and he’s a ball-player, a good passer, a silky footballer and perhaps everything United want in a centre back but he’ll be 30 by the end of next season. That’s a lot of money to spend on a defender who’s soon to be the wrong side of the 30 mark.

It wouldn’t be a waste of money, though. Even if United did pay over £40m for Ramos, he’s still a very good defender and would still fit well with United’s new style of play. He’s also experienced in Europe and has won everything there is to win – so why wouldn’t he want a crack at the Premier League? All of that bodes well for United if they want to sign him.

And they may be able to sign him without De Gea going the other way. It looks like De Gea will probably leave, but Real Madrid are being coy. They won’t pay over the odds because the goalkeeper they want is out of contract at the end of next season. They’ll wait a year and get him on a free, or else pay a pittance and take him this year. United might simply stand firm out of principle.

If that happens, can United really afford to spend £40m+ on Ramos? In a year’s time they’ll have a hugely expensive 30 year-old and they’ll have lost a top class goalkeeper on a free.

In an age of financial fair play there is only one club in England who can afford to do that, and that’s Manchester United. The money coming into City and Chelsea is stabilising, as businesses they’re becoming sustainable without having to worry about money being supplied by rich sugar daddies. United on the other hand, despite their mountains of debt, have an enviable business that has been cultivated and expanded since the 1990s. If United were to buy Ramos for £40m, they’d make that money back in shirt sales around the globe as well as people flocking to see him play in big money pre-season friendlies in exotic destinations.

Losing your goalkeeper – arguably the best in the league – is a terrible thing. And most clubs wouldn’t be thrilled at paying so much money for a defender of Ramos’ age. But for United, even being in such a bad position with regards to two star players isn’t that bad. If it brings short term success then so be it. United can use it to get back to where they belong and build longer term success from there.

If Ramos is available they should go for him, no matter the price. And if De Gea will stay another season, great. Because with those two United can really kick on next season. What happens after that can be sorted out next summer. For now a Champions League run, a title challenge and maybe a domestic trophy should be the aim for next season. Even when they’re having a bad spell, United are still the envy of England.

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