Arsenal and Crystal Palace are reportedly interested in FC Porto star Pepe, and the fact that you’re already thinking of the former Real Madrid defender and not the 25-year-old winger shows that there’s a lot that people don’t know about the Brazilian.
Recent reports have suggested that the two Premier League sides are eyeing Pepe, who this season has been key to Porto in their Primeira Liga-winning season as the Portuguese giants once again claimed the top prize in the Iberian nation.
Despite joining Porto just one year ago, Pepe already looks set for a big-money move this summer, with the 25-year-old scoring six goals and five assists in all competitions, with the winger in 2022 replacing Luis Diaz in the XI after the Colombian’s move to Liverpool.
Pepe is an exciting talent, and here at HITC Sport, we will look at everything you need to know about the reported Arsenal and Palace target this summer.
Stardom in Brazil and a breakout year in Portugal
Pepe might not be the most famous Pepe in Porto’s squad or even the only winger named Pepe in Arsenal’s team, yet the South American has been making waves for some time, and his debut season in Europe has taken his reputation to a new level.
A key member for Gremio in their run to the 2020 Copa Libertadores quarter-finals, Pepe began earning a name for himself in his homeland as a tricky winger who enjoys cutting in from the left and taking shots from distance.
After becoming a star for Gremio, Porto were the ones to quickly pick up on Pepe’s talents, and the Portuguese giants signed the winger in the summer of 2021, where the forward has since taken his game to a new level.
Pepe has replaced Liverpool star Diaz at Porto this year
Starts at the beginning of the campaign were hard to come by, but once Diaz had left Porto for Liverpool, this is where Pepe really came into his own, with the attacker starting 13 of the possible 17 league games since the departure of his former Colombian teammate.
Three goals and four assists during this time isn’t too bad a tally as well, and when you factor in that Pepe has played an incredible variety of positions for Porto from striker to right-wing to right-back, it makes sense why Arsenal and Palace are interested in the winger.
Arsenal and Palace will have to spend big to sign Pepe this summer
Making waves in both Brazil and Portugal, a readymade replacement for Diaz, it makes sense why Pepe is making some noise ahead of the summer, yet if Arsenal and Palace are to sign the winger, it will take a hefty transfer fee.
As per reports, Pepe has a release clause worth €60m (£51m), a fee that would be a record transfer for Porto should Arsenal or Palace decide to splash the cash on the Brazilian. Yet whilst the attacker is talented, it might be too soon for either side to sign the forward.
After all, Pepe has only enjoyed half a season as a starter for Porto, and a full year for the Portuguese giants playing in the league and in the UEFA Champions League could do wonders to his development as well as convince the likes of Arsenal and Palace to spend £51m for the South American talent.
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