There has been a lot of speculation regarding Real Madrid’s veteran defender Pepe and his future, whether it is with Los Blancos or elsewhere, since the Portuguese centre-back is coming from a great season with his national team, but hasn’t been able to be a steady starter for Zidane’s side.
The Portuguese veteran is currently in the last year of his deal with Real Madrid, and contract negotiations have reportedly stalled between both parties, as the centre-back is keen to sign a multi-year deal while the institution would only offer him a short term contract.
So, it’s only normal to hope that many institutions would pursue the Portuguese veteran, as even if he’s currently 33-year-old, he could still provide a lot of help for lesser sides in need of a die-hard defender who just won’t back down from anybody.
And, of course, one team that’s been strongly linked with the centre-back since the start of the season is Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United, as The Special One is reportedly keen to create a reunion with his compatriot at Old Trafford since establishing a great rapport with him during his Real Madrid stint, even featuring him as a defensive midfielder in more than one situation, knowing him very well and how to use him and even keep him calm.
Nevertheless, even if this move used to make some sense during the start of the season due to the Red Devil’s defensive woes, Mourinho has managed to turn things around while starting Phil Jones with Marcos Rojo as the main players on defence, and the pair has finally able to lock several clean sheets and show a better face on their side of the pitch.
So, signing the polemic and expulsion prone defender whose prime is way behind him won’t make a lot of sense, as Mourinho also counts with an amazing Eric Bailly on his ranks, as well as Daley Blind who has shown to be a worthy centre back, and the outcast Chris Smalling who’s keen to regain a starting spot for the Red Devils.
Pepe has proven to be a guy who is willing to kill and die for his team, and his leadership and veteran ways could really improve more than one side, but it’s hard to figure out a scenario where he would actually be needed to step up for the Red Devils, so going there wouldn’t make sense for him either, as he’s looking for consistency and minutes as he’s been snubbed by the surging youngster Raphael Varane over the last few seasons at Real Madrid.
So, Jose Mourinho should definitely end his pursuit of signing Pepe right away, and the Portuguese defender should consider other options, as there have been reports that he’s gaining interest on some Serie A sides where he could have a more starring role and end his career as a starter instead of remaining benched at Zidane’s team.