Manuel Pellegrini lining up move for Real Madrid defender Pepe

MANCHESTER City boss Manuel Pellegrini is weighing up another bid for Real Madrid defender Pepe next summer.

Pellegrini is a massive fan of the Portugal centre-half and has tried to sign him twice since taking over at the Etihad.

Real rejected one £25m bid from City for Pepe, 31 (below) who sat out their Champions League Final win over Atletico in May.

But his contract is up in 2016 and Madrid have indicated they are willing to cash in next summer rather than risk losing him on a free 12 months later.

And City sources believe Pepe could be available for as little as £6m.

The Premier League champions brought in Frenchman Eliaquim Mangala, 23, instead last summer but he has endured a mixed start to life at City.

Fellow centre-back Martin Demichelis is 34 in December, while the future of Matija Nastasic, 21, is in doubt with Roma and Juventus interested in the Serb.