So far, there hasn’t been a lot of speculation about Nicolas Pepe leaving Arsenal.
Obviously the player is on borrowed time at Arsenal amid speculation about £65 million-rated Raphinha coming in, but he isn’t dominating the headlines.
The former Lille winger, a club-record £72 million signing three years ago, only managed five Premier League starts under Mikel Arteta throughout the entire campaign, illustrating his decline in North London.
Raphinha’s potential arrival would bury him at the Emirates Stadium but, according to a journalist, buying the Leeds United winger might be difficult before Pepe – who earns £140,000 per week – is offloaded.
Journalist Dean Jones revealed to the Football Terrace podcast, on YouTube.
He said: “This is all in line with the fact they’re trying to look for a new home for Nicolas Pepe. That will now become more of a priority I expect, that Pepe has to find a way out of the club in order for Raphinha to land.”
Nicolas Pepe leaving Arsenal might be a blessing in disguise for the Ivory Coast international.
Clearly there’s an issue there with Arteta in the sense that he doesn’t rate him all that highly, but he can be an excellent player.
With skill, pace and shooting ability, there’s the raw materials for one heck of a footballer in Pepe and whichever manager can unlock it, well there’s a lot to potentially gain.
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