Arsenal is set to split ways with Nicolas Pepe after his troubles at the Emirates Stadium this season but not in the January (winter) transfer window, as confirmed recently by manager Mikel Arteta.
As reported by Fichajes, Arsenal is aiming to unload Nicolas Pepe during the next January transfer window, according to reports in the Daily Mail. Mikel Arteta looks to have reached the end of his tolerance with the Ivorian, and the club will do all in their power to have him removed from the team in the coming weeks.
Pepe, formerly of LOSC Lille, joined Arsenal in 2019 for a world-record sum of €80m, breaking the previous mark of €60m. The Gunners, who were going through a financial crisis at the time, was taking a huge risk with this signing.
Pepe has been nothing short of a nightmare for Arsenal throughout his almost two-and-a-half-year tenure at the Emirates. This is the second season in which the winger has routinely failed, frequently having to adjust to the more physical aspect of English football.
The winger has slid further and farther down the pecking order and there seems to be no way of coming back for him
With just a little more than 100 competitive matches under his belt, the Ivorian has scored 25 goals, 15 of which have come in the Premier League. In comparison to a player of his calibre, his record of 18 assists is a little disappointing. His underwhelming performance at Emirates is the reason why Arteta has been forced to rely on young players such as Emil Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka to carry the team.
Even if this has turned out to be a blessing in disguise, Arsenal is now eager to get Pepe off their books. Smith Rowe, Saka, Martin Odegaard and even Gabriel Martinelli have all scored in the current league season, and the winger has slid further and farther down the pecking order.
Arsenal themselves are pricing Pepe in the same area, with the hope of recouping a portion of the €80m they invested
In recent weeks, Arsenal has shown an interest in incorporating Pepe into a straight swap deal involving him and top target Dejan Kulusevski. Juventus, unfortunately for them, has no intention of signing the former Lille youngster and is only interested in a monetary price of between €30m-35m.
It is thought that Arsenal themselves are pricing Pepe in the same area, with the hope of recouping a portion of the €80m they invested for him two and a half years ago. The 26-year-old has not been primarily associated with any prominent European club, but the fact that he is available in the January transfer market may cause some people to scratch their heads.
Pepe should not have any difficulties finding a suitor with clubs such as Everton, Liverpool, and Leeds United now exploring the market for fresh offensive reinforcements. It remains to be seen how much Arsenal will really seek for the player, though. However, a move away from the Emirates will serve best for both parties.
