Real Madrid defender is Manuel Pellegrini’s top priority.
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Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini is determined to sign Real Madrid defender Pepe, and the club will raise their bid to £23million in an attempt to sign the 30-year-old before the weekend, according to the Daily Mail.
It is thought that the Spanish giants will accept this improved bid for the player, having rejected an initial offer of £16million.
Pellegrini, who took over from Roberto Mancini at the Etihad Stadium this summer, remains unconvinced by his current defensive options ahead of the new season, and faces further defensive woes with the news that Matija Nastasic has picked up an injury.
City are short of cover at the back, with Kolo Toure leaving the club on a free transfer to Liverpool, and doubts over Joleon Lescott, who was not at his best for much of last season.
Pepe has been a key player for Real Madrid since arriving at the club from Porto in 2007, and has been the top of Pellegrini’s list for defenders all summer, though the Chilean is also said to be considering a move for Liverpool’s Daniel Agger as an alternative option.
City face Newcastle in their opening game of the Premier League season, and Pellegrini is hoping to move quickly to sign Pepe in time for the match.