Pepe is set to sign a contract extension with Real Madrid until June 2018, according to a report from the Spanish newspaper AS.
The Portuguese defender has been in talks with the club for several months, with earlier reports believing the centre-back would be offered a one-year extension in Madrid – his current deal is set to expire in June 2016.
The understanding at the time was Raphael Varane would eventually take over Pepe’s role at the center of Madrid’s defense.
However, the young France international doesn’t appear to be ready to step into a regular position with the reigning European and world champions – just yet. The club also believe the center-back partnership between Sergio Ramos and Pepe is as strong as it has ever been.
With that in mind, according to AS, Real Madrid and Pepe have agreed to a two-year extension which will see the 32-year-old defender remain at the club until June 2018.
Pepe joined Real Madrid from FC Porto in July 2007 for a reported fee of £22 million.
Since that time, the defender has made over 200 competitive appearances for the club while helping them win two La Liga titles, two Copa del Reys, a Champions League title and a FIFA Club World Cup.
Pepe is currently on international duty with Portugal as they prepare for their Euro 2016 qualifier against Serbia on Sunday.
He has been recovering from a muscle strain and is a doubt for the match, after only returning to first team training on Friday.
Programming note: The Euro 2016 qualifier between Portugal and Serbia will be shown LIVE on Sunday starting at 2:30pm EST on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and WatchESPN.
