Sergio Ramos has insisted he "never wanted to leave Real Madrid" and would have accepted a one-year contract offer.

Ramos broke down in tears during a farewell ceremony on Thursday -- attended by club president Florentino Perez, board members, club staff and Ramos' family -- at the Real Madrid City training complex.

"I never wanted to leave Real Madrid, I always wanted to stay here," Ramos said. "In the last few months the club made me an offer of one year, with a pay cut. I want to highlight that money has never been a problem, the president knows that.

"It wasn't a financial problem. They offered me one year, I wanted two. I wanted calm and continuity for my family ... In the latest conversations, I accepted the offer with a pay cut, and I was told there was no longer an offer. I was told that despite having given the OK to the proposal, it had an expiry date and I didn't realise ... It surprised me."

Manchester City are the leading candidates to sign Ramos.