Real reportedly considers Maicon as Pepe cover

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By Salvatore Landolina, Special to SI.com, Goal.com

Real Madrid is reportedly contemplating a transfer move for Inter Milan defender Maicon as the club rekindles its interest in the fullback.

According to Il Corriere Dello Sport, los Merengues have penned the Brazilian ace on their winter hit list as they look for an alternative to the injured Pepe. The Real man suffered a serious knee injury against Valencia two weeks ago where he ruptured cruciate ligaments. He had an operation, but his season is effectively over.

The report claims Maicon is now the center of attention at the Bernabeu. But after having provided a series of golden geese in the summer, the sense in Madrid is that Florentino Perez is unlikely to supply another cash injection for the winter.

Nevertheless, Manuel Pellegrini is likely to request some reinforcements. Aside from Maicon, Real has been linked with several other candidates, including Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic, Gonzalo Castro of Bayer Leverkusen and Manchester United stopper Johnny Evans.

Whispers in Milan suggest the Nerazzurri stopper will cost the Spanish giants around $50 million. Signing him will be difficult though as he recently penned a new deal at the club which ties him down until 2014.