Manchester City has been through a rather disappointing season given their high standards in the current Premier League campaign. The Citizens were hopeful to bring in silverware this season after the appointment of one of the most highly regarded coaches in the world, Pep Guardiola during last summer. However, the Spaniard has evidently found it quite hard to settle in so far at the Etihad Stadium this term.
One of the major reasons behind the setback of Manchester City this season has been their backline. Key defenders like Vincent Kompany, John Stones and Aleksandar Kolarov has been out of action for a chunk of the season, compelling Guardiola to bring in makeshift players as back up for them. Kompany, though, has made his comeback into the team and has been playing a crucial role to keep them in the run for a place in the top four.
Guardiola, however, is not happy with the state of affairs at the Etihad Stadium and is looking to bring in some top class defenders to strengthen the backline of his squad for the next season. It goes without saying that the Spaniard will be kept busy in the transfer market to procure players for his team and has already lined up a number of potential defenders who can be seen at the Etihad Stadium next season. Speculations are rife that one of the top players linked with City is the Real Madrid star Pepe.
The Portuguese defender is one of the highest rated players in the world and has been a mainstay in the defence for the Galacticos for the last few years. His partnership with Real Madrid captain and centre-back Sergio Ramos has led Los Blancos to bring in a number of accolades to Santiago Bernabeu.
However, Pepe has been left out of the starting lineup by Real boss Zinedine Zidane of late, who is preferring the French youngster Rafael Varane over the 34-year-old Portuguese centre-back to star beside Ramos. This has irked rumours that the veteran defender might look to make a move out of the Spanish La Liga in the next transfer window.
As per sources, Pepe has also been linked with a move to China in the summer. However, the Portuguese star is currently concerned about his place in the Portugal squad for the 2018 football World Cup and might not prefer to make a move out of Europe in the current situation.
Manchester City, in case Pepe leaves Real Madrid next season, looks like to be the most likely destination for the ageing defender.
