Noel Whelan has suggested Newcastle United and Everton should consider making a temporary move for Arsenal’s Nicolas Pepe in January.
Nicolas Pepe may have run out of time in his Arsenal career as he doesn’t seem to fit into Mikel Arteta’s plans. After starting earlier games this season, the Ivorian has fallen down the pecking order, with Bukayo Saka preferred to start on the right side of attack for a few matches now.
The lack of playing time has alerted the media into building up speculation regarding his future. It is suggested that Arsenal might be willing to consider offers for Pepe and bring in a replacement with a different player in Arteta’s mind.
There could be plenty of interest in the 26-year-old if the Gunners put him up for sale in the next window, with AC Milan already emerging as a suitor for the winger. Clubs from the Premier League could also line up to sign Pepe if he becomes available in January.
Everton and Newcastle United have already been credited with an interest in signing the winger. Pepe might consider moving away in search of regular playing time. However, if Arsenal set their transfer fee demands high over a permanent deal, clubs could explore a loan move. Moreover, Pepe might also want a temporary switch to refresh and regain confidence before making it at Arsenal or elsewhere next term.
Noel Whelan has suggested the idea of signing Pepe on loan with an option to buy, to interested clubs such as Everton or Newcastle United. He told Football Insider that should the clubs agree on such a deal, they might get the chance to assess the winger before they decide on a permanent move.
Whelan said, “I think if you’re going to take a chance on Nicolas Pepe, we know there’s a player there. We know that there’s a skilful winger in him. A loan move is the safest move you can make. You’ve got to make sure that you get a player in, you see how he settles, and you see his performances.
“Only then can you judge him on the fact that you want to spend £25 million. Right now, Arsenal are offloading him or wanting to offload him for a reason because he’s not done it. That is the reason why players bought for big money are then very shortly after loaned out or sold. Because they’ve just not done it for the club that spent the cash.
“For Newcastle and the likes of Everton, to give him the opportunity, to give them that second bite of the cherry in the Premier League, the loan move is the safest move to go down. You’re not wasting any money. All you’re paying is a percentage of the wages. Then, at the end of the season, you can assess the situation.”
