Manchester City are increasingly hopeful they can sign Real Madrid defender Pepe in the summer, according to reports in the UK.
The Portuguese centre back has contract at the Santiago Bernabeu until the summer of 2016 but Los Blancos are willing to cash in on the 31-year-old this year instead of risk losing him on a free 12 months later – giving City hope they can secure his signature.
The Premier League champions already have a host of options at centre back, and spent 40 million euros to bring Eliaquim Mangala to the Etihad Stadium last summer. But boss Manuel Pellegrini, who used to be in charge of Los Blancos, has been unconvinced and remains in the market for another defender.
Should City make their move for Pepe, they may face competition from cross-city neighbours Manchester United. Louis Van Gaal is keen to add to his defensive options and United miss the experience of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, who both left last summer. The Red Devils have also been linked with Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels.
Pepe joined Los Blancos in 2007 and has played a major role in the side’s success in recent years – helping them to the Champions League, La Liga, the Copa del Rey, Spanish Supercopa, European Super Cup and Club World Cup.
no pepe is a good defender .. if pepe makes a move to city whom did real bought..