Real Madrid Real have position covered if Pepe leaves

Pepe is the best foreign centre-back in Real Madrid's history

Pepe has an heir, and the first in the line of succession to the throne of the Portuguese centre-back at Real Madrid is Jesus Vallejo.

The decision has already been made; If Pepe leaves, Vallejo arrives.

A smooth transition without noise or uncertainty, nor the economic demands of the summer transfer market.

Real wanted to find a player who wouldn't threaten Raphael Varane's position as a starter alongside Sergio Ramos, something that the Frenchman has been fighting for, for six seasons.

Vallejo, who will turn 20 on January 5, has made a spectacular leap into European football's consciousness after a stunning season at Eintracht Frankfurt, where he was loaned this season.

On June 30, Zinedine Zidane will have him at his disposal if Pepe's renewal doesn't come to fruition.

Indeed, it's precisely because of the youngster's form that the Portuguese's contract discussions have stalled, but Madrid are treating the matter with calmness because they have the position covered in any event.

If their 33-year-old centre-back goes, they acquire one of the most promising defenders in European football at no cost and 14 years younger than Pepe.

Triumphant season

Madrid signed Vallejo from Zaragoza in the summer of 2015 for six million euros and left him there last season.

This year the decision was to send him to the Bundesliga, the same process that was followed with Dani Carvajal, and the result has been spectacular.

Real themselves have been amazed at the player's level of performance - to the point that they see him ready to take the leap and become part of the first team.

Vallejo is an undisputed starter at Eintracht, where he has played the last 14 league games.

"I have not seen such a player either as a footballer or as a coach. This guy is a scandal," said team coach Niko Kovac said at the end of October.

Recently, the German club got in touch with Madrid to try to prolong the transfer but Los Blancos have another plan.

Presently, the situation of Pepe is still unknown, although the reality is that the Portuguese has a foot and a half outside the club.

As reported on Sunday by MARCA, Pepe has two astronomical offers from Chinese teams that will take him away from Madrid.

That, coupled with the stalled negotiations, make the player more out of the club than in it.