Mourinho keen to sign Champions League winner

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is keen on a reunion with Real Madrid defender Pepe, who will be available on a free transfer in the summer.

The Portugal international has seemingly turned down a fresh contract with the Bernabeu giants after they refused to match his demands of a two-year deal on a decent wage hike.

Spanish outlet Don Balon suggests that the Special One is keen on a reunion with Pepe, who is said to want Champions League football for next season.

The former Porto man snubbed a lucrative switch to the Chinese Super League in January, while he is also stalling over a move to Inter Milan owing to their lack of European football.

Pepe has not had the best of seasons in the Real shirt this term with centre-back Raphael Varane managing to displace him from the starting lineup.

Manchester United are currently out of the running for Champions League football via their league standings, and they will have to lift the Europa League title in order to guarantee their passage to the elite competition.