Milan and Inter to battle for Pepe

Serie A giants Milan and Inter are pondering a bid for Real Madrid defender Pepe after the Portuguese failed to negotiate a new deal at Santiago Bernabeu.

Pepe’s current deal is set to expire in June 2012 and even though Jose Mourinho repeatedly stated that he saw his compatriot as the key member of the squad, Real chiefs couldn’t agree a new deal with the Portuguese defender.

The 28-year-old wanted €4.5 million per season, but Real wouldn’t go past €3.5 million, so the negotiations broke down few days ago.

This has alerted clubs like Milan and Inter, who are both keen on the Portugal international and they are already readying summer bids.

Real are not prepared to risk losing Pepe for free and they are likely to make him available for sale at the end of the season.

[Source: Il Corriere dello Sport]