Portugal and Real Madrid defender heading to Manchester City
Published:Manchester City have reportedly launched an audacious bid to bring Pepe to the club, with the Premier League champions thought to have tabled a bid of €30m for the Real Madrid and Portugal defender.
According to a report in Marca, the Citizens have identified the 31-year-old as the ideal summer addition after seeing Porto’s Eliaquim Mangala seemingly rebuff their overtures.
The club are also thought to have been put off Roma’s £50m valuation of Mehdi Benatia as the Sky Blues looks to bring in defensive reinforcements as they go in search of back-to-back Premier League titles.
Pepe represents a more realistic addition to the ranks at the Etihad, with the Real Madrid defender facing the prospect of playing a bit-part role at the Bernabeu next season with Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane both battling for a starting spot with Los Blancos.
The 31-year-old could also be open to the idea of moving to City, where he is likely to land a bumper contract as well as the opportunity to test himself in the Premier League.
For now Pepe is focused on helping Portugal to progress in the World Cup, with the team also known as the Selecao representing dark horses for glory in Brazil.
They face a battle with Germany for top spot in their group while Paulo Bento’s team are expected to make light work of fellow opponents Ghana and USA in the opening phase of the competition.
But while the goals of fellow Real Madrid man Cristiano Ronaldo will be crucial to Portugal’s chances this summer, Pepe could play a similarly crucial role at the other end of the pitch.
With failure to top the group likely to set up a tricky second round encounter with Belgium, Portugal and Pepe will need to be at their very best from the start this summer.
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