According to reports in The Sun, Manchester United have entered the race with Juventus to sign Real Madrid defender Pepe. The 33-year-old is out of contract in the Spanish capital at the end of the current campaign and has yet to agree on a new deal at the Bernabeu.
 

Reports over the weekend in As suggested that the Portuguese international has asked for a two-year extension but that the club had still to make up its mind over his future. Mourinho is believed to be unhappy at the performances of some of his defenders this season and has made no secret of the fact that he wants to bring in January reinforcements. With Italian full-back Matteo Darmian set to leave Old Trafford, Pepe’s experience of having already played under the “Special One” during his time in Real Madrid hot-seat coupled with the fact that he would be available on a free-transfer, makes him a priority target in the new year.

Steve Mitchell @barafundler