Manuel Pellegrini is eager to add an experienced defender to his squad this summer.
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Manchester City are set to make a renewed attempt to sign Real Madrid defender Pepe, with manager Manuel Pellegrini worried about the lack of top quality centre backs in City’s squad, Goal.com reports.
The Sky Blues only have Vincent Kompany and Jolean Lescott available to them following the injury to Matija Nastastic, which has ruled the Serbian defender out of the first six weeks of the Premier League season.
Manager Manuel Pellegrini is eager to add a centre back to City’s squad in the light of Nastastic’s injury and his main target is Pepe, who is regarded as one of the most physical defenders in European football.
The Sky Blues tried to sign Pepe earlier in the transfer window but were put off by Real Madrid’s £30 million asking price.
City hope that Madrid can be persuaded to lower their asking price, with the Spanish giants wanting to raise funds quickly in order to sign Tottenham winger Gareth Bale.
However, Madrid are unlikely to let the Portuguese defender leave without a fight as they have their own problems in defence, with Rafael Varane still unfit following back surgery.
Pepe is also known to want to stay at Madrid and has already said that he will fight to retain his position as first choice centre back at the club, having lost that position last season.