Real Madrid defender Pepe is set to sign a one-year contract extension, media reports have suggested.
Madrid-based sports daily AS claims Los Blancos were keen to avoid a situation where they risked losing him on a free transfer at the end of this season and have tied him down until 2017, by which time the Portugal international will be 34 years old.
The centre back would have been free to negotiate a Bosman transfer in January had he not agreed the extension but Real didn’t want a repeat of the situation in which Sami Khedira ran his contract down before switching to Juventus.
AS also says Rafa Benitez and the rest of the Madrid hierarchy want Pepe to continue mentoring Raphael Varane as he continues his progression at the club.
News of Pepe’s contract extension will please Madridistas as it means two of the side’s most senior figures have been tied to new deals with defensive partner Sergio Ramos set to sign a contract extension.
Pepe is currently working on his fitness at the moment having picked up a knock during the Audi Cup. He is expected to be out for two to three weeks and looks to miss the season opener against Sporting Gijon.
