Manchester United and Manchester City are interested in signing the experienced Portuguese defender from Real Madrid.
Real Madrid centre-back Pepe is believed to be attracting interest from the Premier League with both Manchester United and Manchester City believed to be alerted to his contract situation at the Bernabeu.
It is no secret that Manchester United is in the market for an experienced centre-back with A?47 million rated Borussia Dortmund centre half Mats Hummels and Aston Villa’s Ron Vlaar on their wish list. Manchester United have been facing injury woes since the start of the season and have failed to maintain a consistent list of back four in their starting line-ups.
According to reports, it is believed that Real Madrid is still undecided on the Portuguese defendera s future. Pepe has been performing very well this season but his age is proving to be a barrier for the defender to get a new deal from Los Blancos. Pepe will turn 32 this February. Pepe is under contract with the European champions till the end of the 2015-16 season.
Manchester City is also believed to be ready to trigger a bidding war for Pepe. The English champions have had their share of struggles at the back with the A?32 million signing Eliaquim Mangala struggling to settle. Manchester City will be more than happy to have Pepe alongside Vincent Kompany controlling things in their own half.
Pepe has been in the form of his life this season and has turned over a new leaf. Pepe has been a very responsible figure on and off the field for Real Madrid this season as the Portuguese is yet to receive a single booking so far, which comes as a pleasant surprise considering his famous temper. His current form may tempt Real Madrid into offering an extension to the defender instead of losing him for a bargain price in the summer of 2015 or for free at the end of his contract in 2016.
Pepe has played under both Ancelotti and Mourinho and was a regular starter under both the managers. Pepe ran into a few troubles at the end of Mourinhoa s reign as Varanea s emergence and Pepea s personal problems with the gaffer forced him to the bench. However, the Portuguese emerged from the ashes under Carlo Ancelottia s management as the Italian preferred to use Pepe more than the young Varane.
If Pepe is to extend his contract with Real Madrid, he will have to up his game as he will face intense competition from Raphael Varane and his increasing age might not help his case.