Charles Watts has made it clear that Arsenal trio Nuno Tavares, Nicolas Pepe and Albert Sambi Lokonga won’t be joining West Ham United.
Arsenal fans are keen to get Declan Rice on board, with some suggesting that the Gunners could use some of their current players to lower the transfer price West Ham would be putting on the table.
When the likes of Nuno Tavares, Nicolas Pepe and Albert Sambi Lokonga were mentioned, Arsenal transfer expert Watts doesn’t think the Hammers would entertain such an idea, as he told his own YouTube channel.
Those in East London are accepting the idea that they will have to lose such an important cog in their wheel – the club’s chairman made it clear on live radio.
But whilst the real, nitty-gritty talk starts regarding Rice, the Hammers will be hoping for a transfer fight.
The more teams that trade blows, the more they get for their star midfielder, but Watts made it clear, the likes of Tavares, Pepe and Lokonga won’t be going the other way.
“Would West Ham want to take Tavares, not sure,” said Watts. “Would they want to take Pepe? Not sure. I am not sure about Lokonga either.
“Pepe, on his wages, would West Ham take those on? Do they really need him?
“Tavares is a good and young talented left-back. Very raw still. A lot to learn. We have seen that he has struggled, at times, in the Premier League before.
“He kind of struggled after a very good start on-loan at Marseille. Is he going to be appealing to accept less money for Declan Rice?”
Pepe, Lokonga and Tavares’ futures at Arsenal
All three players were out on loan this summer, with Lokonga leaving in January and joining Crystal Palace.
It’s pretty clear that all three players aren’t part of Mikel Arteta’s first-team plans, unless something drastic changes during these coming months.
As a result , expect all three to head for the exit door again and perhaps all on a permanent basis.
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