Real Madrid defender Pepe is reportedly having "second thoughts" about his potential move to the Chinese Super League after the Chinese Football Association amended its rules regarding the number of foreign players per team.

The CFA has recently decreased the number of imports who can play on the pitch at the same time per Chinese club in an effort to regulate the influx of foreign football talents in the country. It was also done to police the expenses of Chinese football teams to make sure that they will not go bankrupt due to superfluous spending.

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From the previous four, it was reduced to three foreigners for each squad per game. A team can have a maximum of five imports available on a given match day, but only three of them can play on the football field simultaneously. The fourth spot is now reserved for a Chinese under-23 player.

The new rules will be implemented when the 2017 Chinese Super League season opens early next month. With these amendments, there are rumors that Pepe has become hesitant to join the China top-flight, The Sun reported.

There are reports that the 33-year-old veteran center-back is set to be signed by Hebei China Fortune to a lucrative deal this summer after he officially enters free-agency at the end of the season. Los Blancos had offered him a one-year extension but the Portugal international turned it down for the possibility of bringing his services to the Far East and play under former Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini.

However, the Nigeria Today indicated that Pepe is now "concerned as Hebei already have five foreign players", namely former Paris Saint-Germain star Ezequiel Lavezzi, former Roma forward Gervinho, Cameroonian midfielder Stephane M'Bia, and Brazilians Hernanes and Aloisio.

Pepe reportedly still wants to have a regular first-team time even with his advanced age. However, with only three imports allowed to start for each team, he is more likely to come off the bench in Hebei as Lavezzi, Gervinho, and M'Bia are Pellegrini's shoo-in starters.

TagsChinese Super League, Chinese Super League rumors, Chinese Super League rumors 2017, Pepe, real madrid, Hebei China Fortune FC