Manchester United in defensive crisis as third target follows Ramos with new contract snub

Pepe is set to snub a move to Manchester United and extend his Real Madrid stay

MANCHESTER UNITED have lost out on another defensive target after it emerged Pepe is set to sign a new contract at Real Madrid.

 

United have already suffered a major blow to their transfer dealings following the confirmation Sergio Ramos has penned a five-year deal at the Bernabeu, while full-back Fabio Coentrao won't leave Spain.

And their Madrid defensive team-mate Pepe is ready to follow Ramos, with reports emerging that his new contract will be confirmed later this week.

 

United manager Louis van Gaal is determined to land defensive recruits this summer to add to right-back Matteo Darmian's arrival.

The boss frequently changed his back four last season in effort to find the right formula and already this campaign Phil Jones has been ruled out for three weeks with injury.

Van Gaal targeted Ramos in a £35million bid earlier this summer bit it was rejected by Real.

 

Officials in Spain also snubbed a reported advance for Portugal international Pepe, whose future at the club was unsure.

The 31-year-old was lined up as a replacement target in the event Ramos rejected a switch to Old Trafford.

 

But it appears United will not land either player - with a presentation scheduled for 12:30pm to unveil Ramos' new deal.

And, in a further blow to Van Gaal's transfer plans, a fourth target - Valencia's Nicolas Otamendi - has caught the eye of Manchester City.

It is believed the two-time Premier League champions are on the verge of placing a £35m bid for the 27-year-old that would trigger his release clause.

United have reportedly known about this clause for some time but have so far failed to act on it.