Real to stay out of transfer market: reports

Real Madrid has no plans to replace injured Brazilian defender Pepe, or any others players, during the mid-season transfer window, Spanish media said Friday.

The club’s management told coach Manuel Pellegrini that he could not expect any new signings this month, the Marca sports newspaper said.

Real has notably rebuffed interest from Jonathan Cicero Moreira of Brazilian side Cruzeiro, who is keen to move to the Spanish capital.

The club will not let others leave either this winter, such as Argentine Gago, who has sparked interest from Boca Junior and Juventus.

Spanish media recently noted that Dutch striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy, who has been largely sidelined this season, had received the green light to leave this winter, perhaps to Liverpool.

Under chairman Florentino Perez, who took over last summer, Real has spent 250 million euros on star signings, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Xabi Alonso.

Pepe, a regular in Real’s starting line-up since he joined the club from Porto in 2007, underwent surgery last month to repair ligament damage on his right knee and he is expected to be out for six months.