Real Madrid defender Pepe is set to sign a new contract for the club, according to reports.
Madrid-based daily, Marca, says the Portuguese centre back will put pen-to-paper on a new two-year deal taking him to the end of the 2017 season. He current contract expires at the end of next season.
The 32-year-old has been subject of much transfer speculation in recent transfer windows, with Premier League champions Manchester City being heavily linked with the defender, perhaps because of the links with former Los Blancos boss Manuel Pellegrini.
But concerns over the long-term fitness of French defender Raphael Varane have prompted Madrid to tie Pepe down to a new deal at the Santiago Bernabeu. Although it hasn’t been signed yet, the club is confident Pepe will sign, with the only sticking point being the length of the deal. Pepe is keen to get an extra year – to the end of 2018. Marca says he will remain on his current salary.
The Portugal international has played a key role in the Los Blancos side since his arrival from Porto in 2007. He was instrumental last year’s success in the Copa del Rey and Champions League as well as the European Super Cup and Club World Cup earlier this season.
