Pepe and Besiktas part company by "mutual consent"
According to reports in Turkey, the Portugal defender and the Turkish giants have agreed to rescind a contract that ran until June 2019 with immediate effect.
Pepe and Besiktas have reached an agreement to terminate the Portugal international’s contract six months early, making the 35-year-old a free agent in the winter market, according to reports in Turkey.
Although the reason for Pepe’s departure has not been made official, it is believed the Süper Lig side’s financial problems have led to the decision for both parties to part company with immediate effect.
Pepe joined Besiktas from Real Madrid in July 2017 and has been a regular starter in Turkey. The European Championship winner, who is still a first choice under his international coach Fernando Santos, played the full 90 minutes of Besiktas’ opening eight league games and most of his side’s Europe League fixtures when available, although injuries have curtailed his activity somewhat this season.
Mourinho and Pepe reunited?
It remains to be seen where the veteran defender will continue his career with a return to Portugal, where he featured for Marítimo and Porto before moving to the Bernabéu in 2007, a possibility.
The availability of his former charge may also interest José Mourinho, who is on the lookout for options at the back. Pepe played under the Manchester United manager at both Porto and Madrid and was a firm favourite at both clubs when the Portuguese was at the helm.
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