Newcastle United misfit Jamal Lewis could join Arsenal’s Nicolas Pepe at Nice with the Premier League misfits potentially set for a fresh start across the Channel in France, according to L’Equipe.
The Ligue 1 outfit have already brought Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel to the Allianz Riviera this summer, alongside Aaron Ramsey.
And, with a Sir Jim Ratcliffe-funded Nice side now turning their attention to Jamal Lewis and Nicolas Pepe, Les Aiglons are making a name for themselves as a club willing to offer talented footballers a new challenge and a clean slate.
Nicolas Pepe and Jamal Lewis may be Ligue 1-bound
According to The Athletic, former Lille talisman Pepe could join Nice on loan from Arsenal before next week’s transfer deadline. The £72 million winger has not played a minute under Mikel Arteta so far this season.
Lewis, meanwhile, could be following in Pepe’s footsteps. He too has found game time hard to come by of late. Lewis was even omitted from Eddie Howe’s 25-man Premier League squad, alongside Isaac Hayden Ciaran Clark in the winter.
Lewis, a £15 million signing from Norwich City back in 2020, will be allowed to leave Newcastle following Matt Targett’s return to St James’ Park.
L’Equipe say that Nice were initially prioritising Empoli’s Fabiano Parisi. They have turned to Lewis, however, after struggling to agree a deal with the Serie A ace. Howe and co are unlikely to stand in his way.
“Jamal, we hope, can stay fit,” the Newcastle boss told The Chronicle last month, highlighting injuries as a major factor in Lewis’ Tyneside troubles. “And show us what he’s capable of.
“I believe in him as a player but he’s just had really bad luck. He’s got a lot to offer physically, we’ve certainly seen that in pre-season – an incredible athlete. He needs consistency of training at the moment that he needs, and hopefully he can get that.”
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