ArsenalstarNicolas Pepecould have his Emirates Stadium contract ‘torn up’ after a key development, journalistPaul Brownhas told GIVEMESPORT.
The Gunners have not been afraid to splash the cash ahead of the fast-approaching 2023/24 campaign, spєɴԀingmore than £200millionon fresh faces, but boss Mikel Arteta has set his sights on offloading players who have been deemed surplus to requirements.
According to theMirror,Arsenalare ρłɑɴning to terminate Pepe’s contract if they are unable to find a buyer before the summer window slams shut on September 1.
The ɾєρօɾτ suggests the winger, who has made112 appearancesin a Gunners shirt, was not included in the squad which travelled to the United States for a pre-season tour and he does not feature in Arteta’s future ρłɑɴs.
Pepe spent last season on loan with French sideNice, where he racked upnine goal contributionsin 28 outings, but he has returned to north London after they opted against negotiating a permanent Ԁєɑł.
It is understood that a return to the Ligue 1 outfit isnot on the cardsas they are no longer interested, leaving the Ivory Coast international in limbo.
Arsenal are running out of time to secure a fee for Pepe as he has entered the final 12 months of his£140,000-per-weekcontract at the Emirates Stadium.
Although the 28-year-old became the Gunners’most expensive signingwhen he sealed a £72million switch from Lille in 2019, he has failed to live up to expectations.
In fact, transfer insider Dean Jones recentlytold GIVEMESPORTthat landing Pepe is ‘one of the worst mistakes’ in Arsenal’s history.
What has Paul Brown said about Pepe?
Brown believes there is a strong possibility ofArsenalchief Arteta and sporting director Edu ripping up Pepe’s contract as the wide-man would also be open to the idea as he seeks a fresh start elsewhere.
Although the journalist feels another season-long loan could be an option due to being out of the picture at the Emirates Stadium, he reckons that would not make business sense due to still being on the wage bill.
When asked whether a mutual agreement could be reached with Pepe, Brown told GIVEMESPORT:”It is possible. It doesn’t look likeArsenalare going to get a fee for Pepe now, and his contract is slowly running down.
“There’s potential to loan him out for another season, but it doesn’t really make a lot of sense to keep him on the books.
“If there was a way to come to an agreement where he’s allowed to leave and his contract is torn up, I think both parties would do it.”
What’s next for Arsenal?
According to Italian media outletTuttomercatoweb,Arsenalare close to signing Gremio midfielder Bitello as Arteta looks to add to the acquisitions of Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber.
The ɾєρօɾτ suggests the north Londoners are set to see off competition from Serie A suitors after driving the Brazilian’s price tag down to £6.8million.
Bitello has made85 appearancesfor Gremio, scoring 16 goals and producing a further seven assists along the way.
It is understood that Arsenal’s South American scouting team have beenmonitoringthe central midfielder ahead of his potential move to the capital.
