Real Madrid veteran Pepe has pulled the brakes on a possible Chinese Super League switch over fears about a lack of regular playing time.
The 33-year-old was alleged to be giving serious consideration to a move to the Far East once his contract at the Bernabeu expires at the end of the season.
However, the Sun now claims that Pepe is having second thoughts about heading to the cash rich league after new rules were put in place that restrict Chinese Super League sides from only being able to field three foreign players at any one time, as well as only being allowed to have a maximum of five overseas stars in any 18-man matchday squad.
Hebei China Fortune, managed by former Real boss Manuel Pellegrini, were the frontrunners to land Pepe after the La Liga giants refused to sanction a two-year contract extension that the centre back wanted to remain in Spain.
Real had offered Pepe a new 12-month contract to stay - a deal he reportedly rejected - but the defender could now be set for a remarkable U-turn if he shelves plans to uproot his family and head to China.
Hebei China Fortune currently boast five foreign players in their first-team squad, with Ezequiel Lavezzi, Stephen Mbia, Hernanes, Aloisio and Gervinho already present at the club. If the Chinese outfit harhour ambitions of signing Pepe, they would have to dispense with one of the quintet or face the possibility of having an overpaid star on their books who is unhappy over not featuring on a regular basis.
Real Madrid's 19 players called up for tomorrow's game against Valencia
Not called up: Pepe, Danilo, Coentrão, Mariano and Asensio pic.twitter.com/K4uSepPYNI
A £248,000-a-week contract is said to be on the table should Pepe wish to sign on the dotted line, but it remains to be seen if the Maceio-born star snubs the staggering offer if his time on the pitch will suffer as a result of any potential move.
Pepe had been sidelined for a month with a calf injury at the turn of the year, but returned to action as captain in the 2-0 victory over Espanyol on February 18.
Pepe has spent the past decade at Real after he joined them in a £25m deal from Porto in July 2007. The Portugal international has amassed almost 330 appearances for Los Blancos in that time, and have lifted 10 trophies during his 10-year spell includiing two La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies.
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