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Pepe Besiktas
Loic Tanzi and Mark Doyle

How PSG missed out on Pepe

Transfers
Paris Saint-Germain
Real Madrid
Super Lig
LaLiga
Besiktas
Ligue 1

The former Real Madrid defender had an oral agreement with the Ligue 1 outfit but was instead tempted by the promise of more game time in Turkey

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Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's entry-level Basic plan gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

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Additionally, ExpressVPN's Basic plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 10MB/month private email relay plus 10 shared aliases.

There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 80%.

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Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's most popular plan, the Advance plan, gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

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Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's top-tier Express Pro plan gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

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There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save around 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 67%. Both longer-term plans include a 3GB holiday.com eSIM that is valid for five days in 150+ destinations.

Over 28 monthsSave 67%
Protect 10 devices with high-speed VPN
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Basic

Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's entry-level Basic plan gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

The VPN can be applied across 10 different devices simultaneously, and offers Lite Protection that blocks ads and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is available to be purchased as an add-on.

Additionally, ExpressVPN's Basic plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 10MB/month private email relay plus 10 shared aliases.

There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 80%.

Over 28 monthsSave 80%
Advanced protection across 11 devices with high-speed VPN
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Advanced

Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's most popular plan, the Advance plan, gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

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Additionally, ExpressVPN's Advanced plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 100MB/month private email relay plus 50 shared aliases and a custom domain, and ExpressKeys, which gives users a password management facility for an unlimited number of passwords plus a 2FA authenticator.

There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 73%. Both longer-term plans include a 3GB holiday.com eSIM that is valid for three days in 150+ destinations.

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SPECIAL REPORT

Pepe had agreed to join Paris Saint-Germain but signed for Besiktas instead because the French club refused to give him a two-year contract.

The Portugal international was a free agent after being released by Real Madrid this summer, but PSG were initially sceptical about signing the 34-year-old centre-half, who has a history of knee problems.

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However, an oral agreement was eventually reached after lengthy negotiations with Pepe's agent, Jorge Mendes, and the defender underwent a fitness assessment by members of PSG's medical team.

Some players were even informed of the former Porto ace's imminent arrival at the Parc des Princes.

Pepe Fikret Orman BesiktasAA

However, Besiktas, who had been trying to broker a deal with Pepe for three months, then offered a lucrative two-year deal that prompted a U-turn on the part of the player, not least because of the opportunity to play regular first-team football ahead of next year's World Cup in Russia.

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At PSG, by contrast, he would have been Unai Emery's fourth-choice centre-back, behind club captain Thiago Silva, Marquinhos and Presnel Kimpembe.

That was not an appealing prospect for Pepe, who represented his country at this summer's Confederations Cup and fully intends to return to Russia in 12 months' time as a starter for Fernando Santos' reigning European champions.

Pepe PSGetty Images

As a result, he penned a two-year contract with Besiktas on Wednesday, with Ahmet Bulut, who had negotiated the deal on Besiktas' part, revealing that not only had they beaten off competition from PSG for Pepe's signature, but also two of the biggest clubs in Serie A.

"PSG and Inter were also always in contact with Pepe, while Juventus were in the mix afterwards," he told NTV Spor.

"But we had already brought our negotiations to a certain point that meant Juve were never a viable option for Pepe.

"Pepe wanted to know what Besiktas' goal was for next season, and Besiktas want to achieve more than they have for the past two seasons."

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Indeed, the Portuguese had also been won over by Besiktas' ambition, with Pepe stating at his unveiling on Wednesday, "My goal is to continue to win trophies. I love my job. I love to give my all on the pitch."

Unsurprisingly, the Super Lig titleholders were enthused by the arrival of an infamously dogged and determined character who won three Primera Division titles and three Champions Leagues during a 10-year spell at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"We have added a very important player with a career and personality that we like," stated Besiktas president Fikret Orman.

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