Arsenal transfer news: The latest media briefing from the Gunners with reaction to stories on Elye Wahi and Nicolas Pepe.
Welcome to thefootball.londontransfer briefing. To help you keep on top of all things Arsenal going on in the market we’ve got the latest noises coming from social media, journalists and so-called ITKs, rounding up what’s what in the world of the Gunners.
Wahi boost
Arsenal have been handed a boost intheir attempt to sign Montpellier striker Elye Wahi.The French forward is expected to leave the Ligue 1 side this summer with both the Gunners and Chelsea amongst the teams competing for his signature.
Wahi scored 19 times in 33 games last season with six assists and hammered four past Lyon in the same game, establishing himself as one of the best young talents around. The 20-year-old, who is ɾєρօɾτedly available for £28million ($36million) is said to be in talks with a move to Chelsea but has been put off by the chances of being loaned out to fellow BlueCo owned side, Strasbourg.
Chelsea’s owners purchased the side earlier this year as part of a new multi-club model but Wahi’s desire to continue his development and take a step up could yet leave Arsenal in the mix.He is thought to be keen on the move to north London as well and would add even more depth to Mikel Arteta’s attack.
football.londonsays:There’s not too much about this move that makes much sense for Arsenal. Not only is the frontline already completely stacked with Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah, Leandro Trossard, Folarin Balogun and Gabriel Martinelli all featuring in the centre forward role on occasion, they really need to start selling.
The signings of Havertz, Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber have not come cheaply. Although Champions League football does give financial leeway, there are simply too many choices and adding Wahi to that only bloats things more. Realistically at least one of Nketiah or Balogun will have to leave this summer as it is, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to be the former.
Therefore, if the USMNT and Stade de Reims prodigy from last season is moved on by Arsenal they would be replacing one impressive 20-something that has looked good in France with another one in Wahi. At a net profit it, may look good on the books. But logistically there is little benefit.
Arsenal have a squad of talented young players as it is. Just because another comes around, doesn’t mean that the Gunners need to sign them.
Pepe collapse
Arsenal have been Ԁєɑłt a blow in their bid to move on the second most expensive signing in the club’s history. Having been offered £4.3million ($5.5million) per year to move to the Saudi Pro League and join the ever-growing list of world stars,Nicolas Pepe’s transfer now appears to be off.
According to CBS, the Ivorian winger is no longer a target and the unnamed club have turned to other options instead. It has also been suggested by the Athletic thatArsenal could yet terminate his contract, which expires in 2024, in order to bring an єɴԀ to his four-year nightmare stay.
Having joined from Lille in 2019 for £72million ($92million), a fee that was the most paid for a player by the Gunners until Declan Rice was signed earlier this window, Pepe spent last season back in France on a loan to Nice. He scored just 27 times in 112 games in north London, assisting 21, and failed to live up to the expectation and hype.
football.londonsays:This doesn’t help anyone andperhaps єɴԀing the contract now would be the best outcome.Pepe is still only 28 and has a chance to write a new chapter in his career elsewhere. He certainly won’t be remembered for his time in England but there have been flashes to suggest that more can come from the attacker.
As for Arsenal,they need to clear the large wages that he is on as well as ridding themselves from the burden of having to Ԁєɑł with Pepe every year as well. Right now there is very little to gain from being in limbo every summer and if they can speed things up by a year and move on now, it would hand all parties a more satisfactory conclusion to this forgettable transfer.
Unfortunately it doesn’t look like there will be much of a fee involved for a move that may materialise but it’s more about the squad stance and impact on Pepe’s career and Arsenal moving forward that matters.This is a blow as it paved the way for a quick and seamless exit but like his entire Arsenal spell, it’s not gone to ρłɑɴ.
