Nicolas Pepe is reportedly open to joining a rival Premier League club amid interest from Newcastle United, as his Arsenal future remains uncertain.
According to football Graeme Bailey on 90 min’s Talking Transfers Show on Youtube, Newcastle United’s hopes of signing Nicolas Pepe in the summer transfer window have increased. The Arsenal outcast is open to joining the Magpies in search of more game time as he looks to prove his worth.
Arsenal signed Nicolas Pepe for a club-record £72 million from Lille back in 2019. But things have not gone as planned, and the move has been a failure for all parties involved. Despite frequently showing flashes of his quality and producing a respectable return in his debut campaign, the 27-year-old has never really kicked on and has largely flattered to deceive during his time at the Emirates.
In total, Pepe has racked up 112 outings for the Gunners, netting 27 goals and providing 21 assists along the way. However, he has failed to nail down a starting role out wide, with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe ahead of him in the pecking order.
The 27-year-old failed to make a Premier League start for Arsenal after October 18 last season, starting just five league games all season, and his departure is almost certain this summer. The north Londoners are in need of freeing up their wage bill to make room for further acquisitions this summer and have transfer-listed Pepe, who still has two years left on his contract.
While Pepe was admittedly adamant on proving his worth this term, it is highly unlikely that he would be handed a clean slate in north London, considering Arsenal’s desire to sign a new winger this summer. As such, Pepe is realistic about his position and would consider a move to another Premier League club, with Newcastle United keeping a close watch on his situation.
Recent reports have claimed that Pepe – along a few others – have been offered to Newcastle, with the Magpies presently weighing all the options. Now, 90 min’s Graeme Bailey has suggested that the Arsenal outcast would be “open” to a move to the North East or, in general, any other Premier League club as he looks to revive his faltering career.
Bailey said, “He’s got a lot of potential and I do know from what I’ve been told [by] Newcastle and people near the player, that Pepe is open to this, he’s open to any team in the Premier League.”
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Despite their willingness to spend lavishly, Newcastle are restrained by Financial Fair Play, forcing them to find creative ways to use their funds. They have been priced out of a deal for priority target Moussa Diaby by Bayer Leverkusen. Arsenal outcast Pepe would thus be the perfect low-cost alternative to the Frenchman if the Magpies could get him on a cut-price deal this summer.
