However, it looks like the Blues will have to return with an improved offer for the Brazilian if they hope to be able to persuade los Blancos to do business this month though.
Mega-rich Premier League outfit Manchester City have failed with an audacious £25m bid for Real Madrid defender Pepe, according to reports in the Daily Star.
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City head coach Manuel Pellegrini has been scouring the European market for a new centre back to bring to Eastlands ever since the January transfer window opened again for business for the season once again at the start of the month.
And that is because the urbane Chilean trainer is hot happy with occasional England international Joleon Lescott’s performances at the back since he replaced previous City manager Roberto Mancini in the hot seat in the north west at the end of the previous campaign.
However, City will only make a move to sign a new central defender if the club can first find a buyer for Lescott, with the Englishman out of contract at the end of the campaign.
But if Lescott is able to find himself a new club before the winter window slams shut once again at the end of the month, then the player that Pellegrini is said to be targeting to replace the out-of-favour defender is Madrid’s coveted Brazil international.