Crystal Palace have identified FC Porto veteran Pepe as a potential target, according to transfer insider Dean Jones. 

The lowdown

The centre-back, who spent a decade of his career at Real Madrid between 2007 and 2017, turned 39 in February. He has played 664 games in his club career to date, scoring 34 goals, providing 34 assists and racking up 172 yellow cards and 13 reds.

Pepe, who has a further 124 caps at international level for Portugal, has one year remaining on his contract with Porto but is valued at just £900,000 by Transfermarkt.

Vieira's current centre-back options include Marc Guehi, Joachim Andersen, Nathan Ferguson and James Tomkins. However, injury woes have restricted Ferguson to just one appearance for the club, while Tomkins is out of contract at the end of June.

The latest

Writing for GiveMeSport, Jones explained that Palace are 'looking to make smart acquisitions that may also offer good value'.

He named Pepe as one of the players that the Eagles' recruitment staff had 'checked out' ahead of a possible summer move.

The verdict

Pepe usually started whenever he was available for Porto in the 2021/22 season, and he may not want to forego the opportunity to play Champions League football once again. On the other hand, if he would like to experience the Premier League before he retires, he may view this as his last chance to do so.

He would bring immense pedigree to south London, having been named in the team of the tournament at three European Championships (2008, 2012 and 2016). In the latter, he was named man of the match in the final against hosts France, when his nation triumphed 1-0 after extra time.

Even Cristiano Ronaldo, his much-celebrated international team-mate, has referred to him as a 'king', and the 39-year-old could be an immensely popular player among the Selhurst Park faithful if he links up with Patrick Vieira and co.

In other news, Palace are also tracking this potential signing