Considering that Pepe has been such a key player for Real Madrid for so many years, it’s remarkable that Los Blancos have allowed him to run his contract down.
The centre-back has been a stalwart alongside Sergio Ramos at the back, even keeping the promising France international Raphael Varane out of the team.
However, his time at the Bernabeu may well be coming to an end.
The Portugal international is out of contract this summer, which means he can sign a pre-contract agreement with a new club in January.
The 33-year-old has actually been offered a new one-year deal, but he’s refusing to sign it as he is holding out for a two-year offer.
If the two parties can’t come to an agreement, the Mirror report that Chelsea are waiting in the wings, and still rate the player highly after he helped his country to win Euro 2016 this summer.
Antonio Conte’s main priority appears to be signing Leonardo Bonucci from Juventus, but that could cost him around £60million.
Grabbing Pepe on a free transfer would be a very appealing alternative, but it could all depend on whether the Blues can secure Champions League football for next season – as it’s hard to imagine the defender giving that up.
Check out Football Advisor for profitable betting predictions
