Man United and Man City will battle for Pepe, while Chelsea look set to miss out on Varane…
Manchester United are preparing to rival Manchester City’s interest in Real Madrid centre back Pepe, who looks set to leave the Spanish giants according to reports in the Daily Express.
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However, it looks set to be disappointment for Chelsea in their pursuit of Raphael Varane, who the Express claims will be going nowhere. Real boss Carlo Ancelotti considers Varane to be a key player, and would be more open to allowing Pepe to depart.
The Blues were linked with a summer swoop for Varane, something which manager Jose Mourinho has since denied, but recent reports have claimed that the Portuguese is plotting a fresh swoop ahead of the January transfer window.
Pepe has been targeted as a possible partner for City captain Vincent Kompany by Manuel Pellegrini, but it is understood that United boss Louis Van Gaal is also interested due to his growing injury list.
Also in United’s favour is the fact that City recruited Eliaquim Mangala this summer, while Van Gaal is yet to truly replace the departed trio of Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra, meaning Pepe would be in high demand at Old Trafford.
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