Manuel Pellegrini is ready to make a move for Real Madrid’s fiery defender Pepe, the Mirror reports.

New City manager Pellegrini is a big admirer of the talented but controversial centre-half, whom he managed during his time at Real.

Last season, Pepe was branded an “idiot” by Wayne Rooney on Twitter after being captured on TV stamping on the hand of Barcelona’s Lionel Messi.

City believe the 30-year-old Portugal international would form a formidable centre-half partnership with their skipper, Vincent Kompany.