Chelsea, Manchester United and Man City will be among those on alert after Pepe announced he would be leaving Real Madrid.
The Portuguese defender’s contract expires this summer and having
fallen down the pecking order the veteran has confirmed he will move on
from the Bernabeu.
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‘It is clear that I will not continue at Real Madrid,’ said the 34-year-old.
‘One stage is over and, from now on, another one will start.’
The decision has been taken with Pepe having fallen behind Sergio
Ramos, Raphael Varane and Nacho as Zinedine Zidane’s preferred option at
centre-back. This season the Euro 2016 winner started just 13 La Liga
games and featured in three Champions League matches.
‘I don’t want to blame anyone. What Zidane has done with Real Madrid
is spectacular, but there are things I don’t understand,’ said Pepe. ‘I
didn’t say goodbye to Zidane because Zidane and Real Madrid knew I was
going before I did.’
Pepe has been one of the best defenders of his generation, winning
three La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies among many
others during his 10 year spell at the Bernabeu.
Chelsea, Manchester United and Man City are all seeking defensive
reinforcements this summer and the experience Pepe could immediately
install in their backlines will be considered.
With Virgil van Dijk having intimated he wants to join Liverpool
rather than any of them, Pepe could be a strong short-term option if an
alternative primary target can’t be signed..
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