Real: No replacement from outside for Pepe

(GSM) – Pepe’s serious knee injury has tempted Spanish papers to link several defenders with a transfer to Real Madrid, but all those speculations seem redundant as Real is likely to find a replacement within the club.

Pepe is out for around six months after he tore a knee ligament in Saturday’s 3-2 win at Valencia. Players like Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea) and Roberto Carlos (Fenerbahce) were named as possible candidates to replace the Portuguese international but will not move to the Santiago Bernabeu, according to sporting director Miguel Pardeza.

“We are combing the market and we are obliged to look at some options to see if there is anything interesting but the first solution is to look at what we have already and there are some very good players in the squad,” Pardeza said, adding Real were not planning to let any players leave in January.