Sergio Ramos is going to renew, and he knows it

Let's start at the end: Sergio Ramos is going to extend his contract at Real Madrid.

It doesn't matter when you read this. It doesn't matter if there are 41 days until January 1 arrives, when he can negotiate with another club, or if you're reading this on December 27. As much as some insist on adding to the drama, this is a film we've seen before and we know that there is a happy ending.

Sergio Ramos is going to renew because both he and Real Madrid know that they need each other and they will have to find an agreement. After 15 years, they know one another all too well. This is one of very few negotiations that Florentino Perez is directly involved in, rather than observing it from a distance as he does with most. The president is a businessman and, as such, he is calm and in no rush.

Florentino knows that he can't lose his captain. Ramos is an icon and a pillar of the side who, while approaching 35, maintains a very high level of performance. Ramos is essential to the side, he's a leader on and off the pitch and he would not be easily replaceable.

Unless Sergio Ramos' demands are crazy

Ramos is rooted in Madrid. His whole life is there, he has a family and he doesn't want to leave. What he does want, though, is to get the best possible contract, just like in 2015, but he won't force his way as much as he did five years ago.

That plays into the club's favour. Their economic strength has been hit by the pandemic, but Ramos could argue that his performance justify his initial demands to improve on his 12 million euro salary.  Whatever his new terms are, the salary reduction will be applied. That reduction was, by the way, achieved as easily as it was because of Ramos' role in the squad.

If Ramos is willing to negotiate on his amount, the club will have to be willing to be more flexible on their stance of not offering contracts of more than a year long to older players. Ramos wants two seasons, with the option of a third being dependent on games, starts and other variables. Madrid, though, want one year at first with the option of a second. If it's agreed to be one year fixed with another to add on, the variables will be so easily achievable that they will almost guarantee the second year.