Real Madrid transfer Rumor: Is Pepe bound for Chelsea this summer?

Posted Monday, January 30, 2012 by managingmadrid.com

With the transfer window due to close on Tuesday we're going to be linked to some really odd rumors. This one, is interesting in that it wouldn't happen until the summer window - but does it have legs to it? Not sure really. This report comes from People UK. It seems that the gang over at Stamford Bridge is keeping an eye on Pepe, as we all know he's a very polarizing figure right now for Real Madrid.

After his latest antics of allegedly stamping on the hand of FC Barcelona's golden boy Lionel Messi (though he was cleared of any wrong doing by the Spanish FA) haven't made things better for him. Supposedly even Real Madrid President Florentino Perez is growing tired of Pepe's actions on the pitch. The higher ups think he is tarnishing in the reputation of los meringues which if you ask a majority of madridistas you'd be correct.

Pepe reportedly thinks that this is all part of a vast conspiracy that has been put forth by the Spanish press. We've discussed that in length around here (the obvious bias towards foreign players) so for me I think he might have a valid point in that area. I could ramble on about how Barcelona doesn't get thrown under the Spanish press bus, is because 8 of there starting XI are Spaniards -- so they get a free pass.

But that's a post for another time and place.

According to this same report, Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas is fond of the Brazil born Portugal defender. And if things get too out of hand by the end of the season they may make a play for him come summer. Chelsea can both afford the transfer fee, and his yearly wages.

I think that one of the problems with this is, he's getting starts in La Liga -- in the Premiership I don't think he'd be a starter. Chelsea already have David Luiz, John Terry and Gary Cahill in the center and they just sold off Brazilian defender Alex who had fallen out of favor with AVB to Paris Saint-Germain. Unless something drastic happens in John Terry's alleged racist abuse case, I don't see him going any where or David Luiz for that matter.

So that would leave Pepe sitting on the bench right beside Gary Cahill and while Pepe does have has his anger issues, he would be a waste of a above average centeral defender. So it might not make the most sense for either club, though if Pepe wants out of Spain I'm sure he could find a way.

Pepe just recently re-upped his contract and is contracted to Real Madrid until the 2016 season. While there have been no formal inquiry's by his agent, he knows that Andre Villas-Boas is interested. I also think that if things don't improve between now and the end of this term Jose Mourinho (if he's around at the end of the season) might be forced to sell Pepe like it or not.