Arsenal misfit Nicolas Pepe once again finds himself in limbo with reports claiming that a move to Besiktas for the Premier League’s forgotten man has been ‘blocked’.
Manchester United are not the only club looking to use the Turkish market as something of a dumping ground for high-earning, seldom-seen players. Eric Bailly joined Besiktas on Tuesday morning, while talks between Galatasaray and Donny van de Beek are still ongoing.
Whether Nicolas Pepe follows Bailly to the Vodafone Arena before the Super Lig window closes on September 15th, however, depends on whether Arsenal can overcome the latest obstacle standing in the Ivorian’s way.
According to L’Equipe, Pepe as already completed his medical at Besiktas. The £72 million signing from Lille is ready and waiting to sign on the dotted line too; biro in hand. But with the deal reportedly stalling – those in France go as far as to suggest that it has been ‘blocked – Pepe looks set for an anxious wait.
Arsenal hope to move Nicolas Pepe on
The Sun, building on L’Equipe’s claims, suggest that this latest hiccup is down to a disagreement between Arsenal and Besiktas. The Gunners want around £4 million for Pepe. Besiktas, however, would prefer to sign him for nothing.
Funny, that.
It remains to be seen if the Turkish giants end up getting their way. Man United eventually tore up Eric Bailly’s £90,000-a-week contract to get Pepe’s international team-mate off their wage bill, and Arsenal may be tempted to do the same. Pepe earns an eye-watering £150,000-a-week at the Emirates Stadium after all.
The player himself, meanwhile, has extra motivation to bring an end to his frustrating four-year spell in North London. His Ivory Coast outfit are due to feature in the African Cup of Nations at the start of 2024.
Another few months collecting cobwebs at Arsenal certainly won’t improve his prospects of a starting role at AFCON.
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