Newcastle United reportedly want to sign Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe this summer – a player that Graeme Souness once said has the ability and potential that reminded of him of Gunners legend Thierry Henry.
Pepe, 27, started just five Premier League matches for Arsenal last season. Mikel Arteta often preferred to use the likes of Emile Smith-Rowe, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli on the flanks throughout 2021-22.
Reports say Arsenal are willing to listen to offers for the club’s record signing. Now, Newcastle are said to be looking at Pepe – with the club being priced out of moves for Jack Harrison and Moussa Diaby.
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Speaking about Pepe after he scored in a 4-0 demolition of Newcastle back in February 2020, ex-Toon manager Souness was very complimentary. He said he sees Henry in Pepe, and the latter could be as good as Henry.
“There is a real, real player in there,’ Souness told Sky Sports – as per The Mail. “You think of their best ever player Thierry [Henry], he didn’t have a great first season. I see Pepe being a star, great feet, electric and still a baby.”
Newcastle want Pepe: Souness said player reminded him of Henry
Pepe needs a club where he is going to play regularly, and a set of fans that adore him. He had that at Lille and look at his stats, scoring 37 goals in 79 games from out wide for the French club.
At Arsenal, the weight of the transfer fee clearly had an impact on Pepe. Good in glimpses, but far from the standard expected of a £72million player. But at Newcastle, he has the stage, and could earn the love of fans.
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