CHINA TOPIX

03/28/2024 09:17:39 pm

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Chinese Super League Rumors: Hebei China Fortune Targets Real Madrid's Pepe for $16M

Real Madrid defender Pepe

(Photo : Getty Images) Hebei China Fortune is reportedly targeting Real Madrid defender Pepe.

Chinese Super League club Hebei China Fortune is reportedly targeting Real Madrid defender Pepe in the ongoing winter transfer window.

The Samba Kings are said to be preparing a €15 million ($16 million) per year salary offer to lure the 33-year-old centerback out of Spain, 90min reported.

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The proposal is reportedly three times his current annual wage of €5 million ($5.3 million) at Los Blancos.

Hebei China Fortune head coach Manuel Pellegrini was Pepe's former boss at Madrid, and the former Manchester City manager is said to be keen to persuade his former player to join him in China.

Rumors emerged last month that Pepe already has "one foot" out of Real as he had fallen the pecking order of head coach Zinedine Zidane's rotation. The Portugal international is currently competing with teammates Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal, Raphael Varane, Nacho, Marcelo, and Danilo for a first-team time at the Bernabéu.

The Sun indicated that Pepe is set to accept the £248,000 ($312,000) weekly wage that Hebei is offering at the end of the season. His contract is set to expire in the summer, and so a free transfer is possible for the Portuguese.

Pepe has been with Real for nine-and-a-half seasons and would complete his 10th with the La Liga giants if he stays with the team until the end of the current term. He has appeared in a total of 327 games in all competitions for Los Blancos in the said time span and has scored 14 goals.

The Portugal international was acquired by Real from Porto in the summer of 2007 for a reported fee of $32 million. He has won two La Liga championships, two Copa del Reys, two Spanish Super Cups, two Champions League titles, and two FIFA Club World Cups with Real.

Pepe also won the recent Euro 2016 trophy playing alongside Real superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who captains the Portugal national team.

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