Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Pepe and Karim Benzema Rumours
Louis van Gaal has reportedly set his sights on yet another Real Madrid defender, with Pepe the man to be linked with Manchester United in the latest round of transfer rumours.
Fichajes (h/t Metro's Mark Brus) claim the Dutchman has turned his eyes from fellow Blancos defender Sergio Ramos to the Portugal international, highlighting his lack of participation in the 2015-16 season and the fact Van Gaal believes he could land the 32-year-old for as little as £14.7 million.
Pepe has started just three La Liga matches so far this season, with Raphael Varane impressing early this campaign, playing alongside Ramos. Fans of Real have been waiting for Varane to fully break through and leap over Pepe in the pecking order for some time, and the French youngster seems to finally have taken the next step.
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That's not the only reason Pepe has made just three La Liga starts, however. He's also been struggling with a handful of niggling injuries, and per Tomas Roncero of AS, he hasn't been fully healthy since late September.
Using the lack of consistent playing time as an excuse to push the narrative his Real days are over is false. Los Blancos signed him to a new deal just last August, a clear indication they believe he still has a role to play. Per the club's official website, his current deal will expire in 2017.
It's hard to envision a scenario in which Real would consider selling Pepe at this point in time. He's still a great defender, but he's arrived at an age where the inevitable decline could set in at any time, so his value in the transfer market would be fairly low.
That would be fine if Los Blancos had the necessary pieces to deal with his departure, but they don't. Depth at the centre-back position has been an issue for years, with little top talent available behind the trio of Varane, Ramos and Pepe. Nacho is the only true central defender in the squad behind those three.
From a value perspective, a sale of Pepe makes no sense for Real unless United spend big, and that's something that isn't likely to happen. The Portuguese is a good defender but certainly not an elite centre-back, and given his age, his future contributions to the Red Devils' squad would likely be limited.
United have solid depth and a number of intriguing young talents at the position, so if Van Gaal does decide to invest in another centre-back, it will be for a star talent capable of leading the back line for years, not an expensive veteran whose best days may already be behind him.
Karim Benzema Mocks Exit Rumours
More from the Spanish capital, where Real forward Karim Benzema gave a clear answer dismissing any possibility of an exit when he was asked about the constant speculation during the summer. Asked how close he came to leaving, he told Journal du Dimanche (h/t Sky Sports):
"Never. Like every summer, I laugh about it with my brother and my friends. We wait for the media to come out with these rumours.
In my opinion, I think that Real and Barca are the pinnacle in football. Why I would leave? I'm a starter for the best club in the world. I am happy; it's that simple.
"
The Frenchman was frequently linked with a move to Arsenal, per Sky Sports, but according to the Guardian's Jamie Jackson, Van Gaal was also monitoring the situation.
The Red Devils ended up moving for compatriot Anthony Martial instead, and so far, the perceived gamble has paid off in a big way. It was fair to assume the young Martial would need time to adapt to the Premier League and develop, but the 19-year-old's been an instant success at Old Trafford. La Liga blogger Rafael Hernandez put it this way:
Meanwhile, Benzema has been doing what he has done for years: score plenty of goals for Real. So far, he has six goals in six La Liga starts, per WhoScored.com, leading Los Blancos in that category.
The 27-year-old has been with the club since 2009, and after such a long and fruitful spell in the Spanish capital, a move away seems unlikely as long as Real don't invest in another star striker to add some competition for the Frenchman.
Rumours linking him with Arsenal will continue to surface until the Gunners find a star forward of their own, but given the emergence of Martial, it may be time to put the United rumours to rest.
