REAL MADRID will offer veteran Portugal defender Pepe a one-year contract extension to fend off interest from rivals clubs – including Chelsea and Manchester City.
The 34-year-old will be out of contract this summer after 14 years with the Spanish giants and had been expected to leave on a Bosman free transfer.
The mega-rich Chinese Super League has been cited as a probable destination, while City, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked with the player.
Pepe has won two La Ligas with Real and was shortlisted for the FIFA World XI of 2016 after earning a second Champions League winner’s medal and triumphing in the European Championship with Portugal.
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Pepe is currently sidelined – and will miss Real’s Champions League showdown with Bayern Munich – after breaking two ribs in a collision with team-mate Toni Kroos last weekend.
The Portuguese had put Real ahead in their derby with Atletico on Saturday, before Antoine Griezmann made it 1-1.
Pepe then indicated that his heart remained in Madrid while speaking at a supporters’ club event alongside Real legend Raul on Sunday.
“I will wait for Madrid until the last second, I sacrifice every day to be here,” Pepe said. “For me it is a great honour to be here.
“Only God knows what my future holds because I have a contract until June 30.
“I am just focusing on returning as soon as possible to help the team win all of the competitions we are in.”
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