the falcon is hovering!!!
City set to swoop for Pepe this weekend as Pellegrini looks to fill Nastasic injury holeBy ADAM CRAFTON
PUBLISHED: 13:43, 15 August 2013 | UPDATED: 13:51, 15 August 2013
Real Madrid defender Pepe remains Manchester City’s leading defensive target - and City officials are hoping to conclude a deal ahead of the club’s opening game of the Premier League season at home to Newcastle United on Monday evening.
Manager Manuel Pellegrini is determined to add to his defensive ranks ahead of the new season, and the 30-year-old Portuguese star is seen as the ideal partner for City captain Vincent Kompany.
City have had an opening bid - thought to be worth around £16million - rejected and Sportsmail understands that the club’s oil-rich owners are prepared to pay in excess of £23million for Pepe despite his advancing years.
Heading to England? Pepe was with the Portuguese national team this week
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is reluctant to lose the powerful centre-half but the emergence of Raphael Varane last season has led many at Madrid to believe that Pepe could be allowed to leave should the right offer be put on the table.
Kolo Toure’s summer departure to Liverpool and the injury suffered by Matija Nastasic in pre-season has left Pellegrini short of options in the centre of defence as he launches his bid to win the Premier League title in his first season in charge at the club.
Although Micah Richards can deputise at centre-back, Pellegrini intends to rotate the Englishman with Pablo Zabaleta in the right full-back position while doubts remain about Joleon Lescott, whose City contract expires at the end of this season.
Pedigree: He was training alongside fellow Real Madrid players Cristiano Ronaldo and Fabio Coentrao
Pedigree: He was training alongside fellow Real Madrid players Cristiano Ronaldo and Fabio Coentrao
Pellegrini also believes that Pepe, who has over 50 international caps, could be pivotal to City’s hopes of improving in the Champions League this season after consecutive group stage exits under former boss Roberto Mancini.
Should Pellegrini succeed in capturing Pepe, it would take City’s summer spending beyond the £100million mark, with the defender following Fernandinho, Jesus Navas, Stevan Jovetic and Alvaro Negredo into the Etihad Stadium.
On the up: Real Madrid beat Chelsea 3-1 in Miami during pre-season
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