For those diehard Real Madrid supporters, reality will soon hit home as long-term defensive stalwart, Pepe will depart the club following the ending of his contract. The Portuguese defender has become one of the most iconic defenders ever to represent Los Blancos, but who should the club sign to replace the two-time Champions League winner?
Real Madrid President, Florentino Perez, will have an enormous job attempting to replace Sergio Ramos' long-term partner at the heart of the Madrid defence. Pepe was instrumental Madrid's recent success and formed a formidable partner with his Spanish counterpart, Sergio Ramos.
But where can Real Madrid find their replacement for the 34-year-old central defender? Los Blancos will find the replacing of Pepe one of their most difficult challenges the club has faced over the past decade - the fear of instability may cause the club's hierarchy to panic and make a rash decision.
Here are five names Madrista's should consider.
#1 Nicolas Otamendi – Manchester City
Another one of Jorge Mendes' clients is being touted as a potential summer signing to join the world's most famous club? Water is also wet, but it's difficult to deny the quality Otamendi has shown during his time in La Liga with Valencia.
The Argentine defender has divided opinion within England as his constant mistakes, rash defending and sometimes lack of clear thinking behind his decision making have cost Manchester City crucial goals at critical times.
29-year-old Otamendi joined City in August 2015 from La Liga side, Valencia, but could be tempted to swap the Etihad for the Bernabeu if Real Madrid pursue a move. When you consider the bad-boy image Pepe build for himself over the past decade, Otamendi could easily prove a like-for-like replacement for the departing defender.
If you are to weigh up the style of both players, you'd have to search far and wide to find a more suitable replacement - but not necessarily an upgrade, however.
#2 Aymeric Laporte – Athletic Bilbao
For many years, French defender Aymeric Laporte has been considered as arguably the highest rated young defender in European football. Athletic Bilbao's prized asset could finally swap Northern Spain for the biggest club in world football - provided Zinedine Zidane intends to make a move for his countryman.
Many managers well receive Laporte for his ability to play out from the back, his expert reading of the game, and remarkable ability to make the decision upon critical timing. Laporte is so highly regarded that Pep Guardiola attempted to convince Laporte to leave Bilbao last summer, only for the player to turn down the advances of the former Barcelona coach and extend his stay with Ernesto Valverde's side.
Zidane being the manager of Madrid may be the deciding factor in Laporte finally choosing to end his stay at Bilbao. But there's no denying the player could become one of the most expensive defenders of all-time.
#3 Thiago Silva – Paris Saint-Germain
Realistically, what else can Thiago Silva achieve in Ligue 1 before his career begins to take a downward spiral? Contrary to popular belief, the French league remains one of the more competitive league's in Europe with some fantastic teams.
But can PSG attain Champions League success anytime soon? Since moving to the French capital, the aim of the owners has been to achieve Champions League glory, but can the club do that anytime soon? If Thiago Silva aims to achieve to glory in European football's premier competition, surely a move to Real Madrid makes the most sense.
Madrid are likely to pursue a move for one of the continent's best defenders. With him past his prime years, Madrid could potentially sign Silva for a relatively cheap deal - while adding leadership and an ideal defender to partner Sergio Ramos.
#4 Jonathan Tah – Bayer Leverkusen
One of the most hugely underrated defenders in the continent is German international, Jonathan Tah. Bayer Leverkusen's young defender is gathering many plaudits for his superb leadership, physicality, which has seen comparisons drawn to Vincent Kompany.
When Zidane is forced to choose his side without Pepe, the Madrid back four will be without an element of physicality and awareness which Pepe brings in abundance. If Zidane pursued a move for Tah, then with the appropriate guidance, he could develop into one of European football's best defenders over the next decade.
Following the unacceptable collapse of Leverkusen in the Bundesliga in 2017, the club may be forced to lose some of their stars if the club's interested meet their valuations. It would be possible the easiest deal for Madrid to complete this summer if they intend on moving for the 21-year-old, but would Zidane consider a move for the German?
#5 Antonio Rudiger – AS Roma
Over the past season, not many defenders in European football have been impressive or instrumental in their side's success than Antonio Rudiger at AS Roma. The German international overcame a near career-threatening knee injury to become one of the most prominent defenders in the continent.
For being an out and out hardcore defender, Rudiger would easily replace the departing Pepe, but would Zidane pursue a move for a player with a long-term threat to his knee? If Madrid are to make a move for the German international, they may have to fend off competition from England with Antonio Conte's Chelsea believed to be interested in attempting to lure the defender to London.
Nonetheless, not many can deny that Real Madrid have more pulling power than anyone else. And so if Zidane attempts to move for the defender, will his head be turned?
