Former Spain captain Sergio Ramos close to Sevilla takeover in $470 deal

Former Spain captain Sergio Ramos is close to buying his boyhood club Sevilla after reaching an agreement with the club’s main shareholders alongside investment group Five Eleven Capital, according to Spanish media reports.

Spanish newspaper El Pais reported that the proposed deal is worth around 400 million euros ($470 million) and would hand the group control of about 80% of Sevilla’s shares at an estimated 3,500 euros per share.

The transaction must still receive approval from La Liga and Spain’s National Sports Council before it can be completed.

Sevilla are battling to avoid relegation after another difficult season in LaLiga. The club sit 13th in the standings, only three points above the relegation zone with three matches remaining. They also narrowly escaped relegation last season.

Ramos came through Sevilla’s academy before joining Real Madrid in 2005, where he won 22 major trophies. The 40-year-old last played for Mexican side CF Monterrey.