Jose Mourinho eyeing move for Champions League winner

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is reportedly considering the prospect of a reunion with Real Madrid defender Pepe during this summer’s transfer window.

The Portugal international has been limited to playing time during the ongoing campaign with Zinedine Zidane preferring to partner Raphael Varane alongside Sergio Ramos for most of the season.

According to The Star, via Don Balon, the Euro 2016 star is eyeing a fresh move in the summer after having turned down a new contract with the European champions.

Former Italian giants Inter Milan are understood to have already expressed an interest in the centre-back, but the veteran is said to favour a bigger challenge with the Nerazzurri not in contention for European football.

Preferably, the Euro 2016 winner is keen on plying his trade in next season’s Champions League, and his desire is something which has captured the attention of former boss and current United coach Mourinho.

Mourinho has often criticised Phil Jones and Chris Smalling for their lack of commitment, and this could urge him to move in for Pepe, who has been an excellent contributor for Los Blancos over the years.

The Red Devils are currently not in a position to qualify for the Champions League via their league spot, and this makes the game against Ajax all so important if they are to salvage their season.

Mourinho has repeatedly stressed that the club will seek to lift the Europa League in order to qualify for the elite competition and the clash against Peter Bosz’s side at Stockholm could have a telling effect on their summer spending.

Pepe, who is still nursing a rib injury, has won the Champions League in two of the last three seasons at Madrid, and he looks on course to achieve a hat-trick of European titles, should his side trump Juventus in the finals next month.

Image – EPA