Nicolas Pepe’s fate at Arsenal revealed
June 9, 2023
ST ALBANS, ENGLAND - JANUARY 20: Arsenal Head Coach Mikel Arteta talks with Nicolas Pepe during a training session at London Colney on January 20, 2020 in St Albans, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Ivory Coast winger Nicolas Pepe‘s future at English Premier League side Arsenal seems to be hanging in balance. Unless otherwise, it seems his time at the Emirates won’t be going any further.
According to sources close to the club, the 27 year old is no longer in Mikel Arteta‘s plans. Pepe’s contract has a year left.
Arsenal are therefore looking to cash on him and if they don’t get a potential buyer, the club is understood to be prepared to terminate his contract.
The winger joined the Gunners in 2019 for a record club fee of 72 million pounds from Lille. However he didn’t live up to the billing.
He spent last season at French side OG Nice where he registered 6 goals. Pepe’s time at Arsenal was troubled by inconsistent performances.
Despite being a very talented player, he couldn’t adapt easily to the Premier League and couldn’t be a player to be counted on despite his price tag.
However no team has come out yet to express their interest in the player.
Pepe whose preferred position is the right wing but can play on both wings would have to fight for a starting berth with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Reiss Nelson.
Meanwhile the North London club is looking to launch bids for two of their primary transfer targets, Declan Rice from West Ham and Moises Caicedo from Brighton.