LIVE
...

Follow us on

Soccer News

Wolves fans excited after club linked with free agent Pepe

Pepe of Portugal and Besiktas during the UEFA Nations League A group three match between Portugal and Poland at on November 20, 2018 in Guimaraes,...
Follow us on Google Discover

Wolves have been linked by Portuguese media with veteran centre-back Pepe.

Pepe of Besiktas  during the UEFA Europa League   match between Genk v Besiktas at the Cristal Arena on November 8, 2018 in Genk Belgium

Cash-strapped Besiktas have opted to sacrifice a huge chunk of their wage bill by releasing veteran defender Pepe and it has not taken long for Portuguese media to link the centre-back with Wolves – but fans don’t want him at Molineux.

Pepe, 35, was said to be earning a whopping £82,000 a week at Europa League side Besiktas, as well as pocketing around £3,500 per game as an appearance fee, according to ESPN.

But with Besiktas struggling for cash and the possibility of having to wipe off some other high earners, Pepe was told he would have to leave the club – with his contract expiring in June.

Portuguese outlet Record claim Pepe is already a target for newly-promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers, who are known for their Portuguese affiliation – mainly due to super agent Jorge Mendes.

Their manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, is from Portugal, as are eight of the playing staff including Pepe’s Euro 2016-winning teammates Rui Patricio and Joao Moutinho.

June 3rd 2017, National Stadium of Wales , Wales; UEFA Champions League Final, Juventus FC versus Real Madrid; Pepe of Real Madrid celebrates with the trophy

Wolves are well stocked at centre-back, with captain Conor Coady, Willy Boly and Ryan Bennett – the latter recently signing a new deal at the club.

But the chance to sign Pepe could prove too good to turn down, with Wolves able to do business with the ex-Real Madrid defender at any point as he is no longer contracted to Besiktas.

Wolves fans react surprisingly on Twitter, with the majority of supporters against signing Pepe.

Pepe of Besiktas during the UEFA Europa League   match between Genk v Besiktas at the Cristal Arena on November 8, 2018 in Genk Belgium