The defender will be absent for some crucial City matches.
The announcement that Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany will be out for at least a month with injury has reignited speculation City will move for Real Madrid’s Pepe.
KOMPANY INJURY UPDATE: Skipper set to be side-lined for at least a month: http://t.co/OgELpX7mKX #mcfc
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) August 23, 2013
New manager Manuel Pellegrini has been interested in the Portugal international for some time and with Kompany sidelined for a lengthy spell, the 30-year-old could be on the way to Eastlands.
The Belgium international was forced off in the Citizens’ 4-0 demolition of Newcastle United on Monday and Pellegrini is keeping options for new players open.
“I prefer the doctor has the final word on this but I think he will be out for at least one month,” the 59-year-old told the City website.
“If we do strengthen [at centre back] it will not just be because of Vincent Kompany’s injury. We have a very good squad and we see what happens.
“Today or tomorrow we will know exactly how long Vincent will be out for.”
With Mateja Nastasic also out for a significant time Joleon Lescott is the only recognised out-and-out centre-back who is fully fit at the Etihad Stadium.
Pepe has been at the Santiago Bernabeu for six years since a £26m move from FC Porto and has won two La Liga titles and one Copa Del Rey in that time, as well as having played 200 competitive matches for the club.
Pellegrini managed the Portuguese defender for one season at Los Blancos in 2009/10 and is a keen admirer of the centre-back, having worked in Spain for the entire length of Pepe’s playing time in the country.
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