Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric has revealed that he is expecting Sergio Ramos to be at the club for the start of the new season.

Ramos has been repeatedly linked with a switch to Manchester United as Louis van Gaal continues to improve his squad at Old Trafford, but Modric is confident that his teammate will ignore any interest in his services after being named the club's new captain.

"I hope that Sergio stays as he's so important for us," the midfielder is quoted as saying by SPORT. "[He's] our captain and our leader, on and off the pitch.

"He seems happy and I feel that he will stay. I'm sure he wants to stay, too."

Madrid boss Rafael Benitez has echoed Modric's comments by claiming that he has no intention of allowing Ramos to leave.