Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is prepared to pay big for Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos.

The Guardian says reports emanating from Spain yesterday claimed a deal worth in excess of £50m had already been struck for Ramos. While that suggestion was very premature and the figure quoted vastly inflated - no direct contact has been made between the clubs or with the player's agent, and the Londoners would not stretch to that price for a defender - it is a sign of Chelsea's ambition that they are considering moving for the Real defender.

Ramos' representatives are aware of the Premier League club's interest and the Spain international could be persuaded to swap La Liga for England after growing frustrated at Real's apparent reluctance to offer him new terms at the Bernabeu.