Real Madrid defender Pepe has stated that he intends to retire at the Santiago Bernabeu, despite interest from Antonio Conte at Chelsea.
The Portugal international, who has been with Los Blancos since 2007, is yet to sign a contract extension with the Champions League winners with his current deal set to expire come the end of this season.
Speaking to Spanish TV station Antena 3, Pepe said:
“I am calm. I want to help Madrid, the club I love, I am at peace.”
On the reported two-year-deal he is awaiting, he added: “I hope the club call me first to resolve this [contract] situation. I am calm, people in the club know that this is my home.
“I have already said that I expect to be with Madrid until the last second [of his career].
“My goal is to retire here.”
The two-time Champions League winner, who has racked up 321 appearances, scoring 19 goals in his 9 years at the club, has been linked with a move to Chelsea as his contract runs down.
Blues manager, Antonio Conte, appears desperate to add further steel to his back line having already bought in David Luiz and Marcos Alonso in the summer.
However, it looks as if the Portuguese will be staying put should he get his way with Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane.