Arsenal transfer news: Nicolas Pepe has been linked with an exit this summer as his contract nears the final year.
Arsenalare willing to letNicolas Pepeleave this summer as ɾєρօɾτs claim that interest is being stepped up from Saudi Arabia in the transfer window.
The Ivorian international has had a difficult career at the Emirates Stadium since he made the £72million switch from French side LOSC Lille – which was a club-record transfer fee at the time. The winger didn’t have the impact that was expected and after a few seasons at the club, he spent the previous campaign on loan.
A move back to Ligue 1 was on the cards, where he joined OGC Nice and made 19 league appearances with six goals to his name in that time. “People say that he identified me as a player that wasn’t up to the level in his team, in his philosophy. It’s completely false. When he arrived, he had [Manchester] City’s philosophy. He had a squad that was filled with quality and backups in every position,” Pepe toldColinterview.
“When he spoke to me, he said he counted on me, he wanted me to do this or that, and you have to focus on that. He improved me in every way. He spoke to me the whole time, I watched videos with his assistants all the time. He really believed in me. He said I had incredible potential, so we need to extract that potential. At the єɴԀ of the first season, he spoke with me and told me to do this or that. The second season comes along, I was a substitute. I was going mad.
“How could I be a substitute when he said he counted on me? Everything is spinning in your head. I was a substitute. It was at the time when they signed Willian. He is a number 10 or a winger. But he plays on the wing for like 11 or 12 matches in a row.”
A return to Nice doesn’t seem likely and he has since been omitted from the Arsenal squad making their way to the USA for a pre-season tour. It underlines the lack of a place in the future ρłɑɴs ofMikel Artetaat the club as the 28-year-old has just one-year remaining on his current Ԁєɑł.
Interest from Saudi Arabia has seemingly ramped up though asCBS Sportsclaims that a mid-table Saudi Pro League side have made the opening steps towards sealing a move. However, at this stage, the wage demands appear too far apart and work will have to be done to ensure a Ԁєɑł is completed.
football.londonunderstands that the Gunners are willing to accept a small fee or even take drastic measures such as terminating the contract of Pepe to complete an exit. It could see all parties єɴԀ what has been a difficult story they’ve been intertwined in, with new journeys ahead for both.
