Pepe is reportedly closing in on a move to Paris Saint-Germain from Real Madrid in the summer transfer window.
Spanish radio station Cadena SER have reported that veteran Real Madrid defender is set to move to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer transfer window. The Portuguese centre-back was being heavily linked with a switch to the Chinese Super League as well.
To say that Pepe has been anything short of a stalwart for Real Madrid in the last decade would be a gross understatement of just how influential the Portuguese defender has been for the Spanish giants.
Ever present at the heart of defence for the better part of his career with Real Madrid, the 34-year-old has been solid as a rock at the back. And despite being chastised often for his combative ways on the field, there is no doubting the fact that Pepe has been one of the best defenders in the world for a long time now.
In the last ten years, the Portuguese veteran has amassed more than 300 appearances, winning everything there is to win at the club level. And he was one of the best players for Portugal, holding fort at the back as they triumphed in the European Championship last season.
However, the season that has followed has been quite frustrating for Pepe, as a spate of injuries have meant that he has only been able to feature in 13 La Liga games. And, after a decade full of success with Real Madrid, it is looking highly likely that his time at the Santiago Bernabeu could soon be up.
Pepe has often expressed his desire to retire at Real Madrid, but his contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and there is little movement on a renewal. Real Madrid had offered him a one-year extension on his current deal but the defender has been asking for a further year.
Additionally, Pepe also has a lucrative offer from China on his table, with Hebei China Fortune offering him a three-year deal that would see him earn an eye-watering €45 million over the duration of the contract.
However, PSG have also expressed an interest in signing him in the summer, and it looks like the French capital could just be Pepe’s next destination. The move has all the ingredients to be a successful one for all the parties involved.
For PSG, Pepe would be a top notch addition as he would bring the experience of winning on the biggest stage as well as a fighting mentality that could hold them in good stead as they aspire to break their unfortunate rut in the Champions League and combat their newfound struggle to capture the Ligue 1 title with ease.
For Pepe, it would give him an opportunity to extend his illustrious career in Europe and have a chance to win more major silverware. It now remains to be seen if the Bosman transfer indeed takes place. Although, PSG or not, Pepe’s time at Santiago Bernabeu is likely to end soon.
