Charles Watts says ‘it wouldn’t be the maddest’ scenario that Nicolas Pepe stays at Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal next season after he returns from his season-long loan spell at Nice.
The Football London journalist still expects Arsenal to try and sell their club-record signing, but if they can’t, then they might just look to ‘use’ Nicolas Pepe ahead of the forthcoming Premier League campaign, as he told his own YouTube channel.
Whilst the likes of Bukayo Saka have thrived under Mikel Arteta, players like Pepe, who moved to the club for big, big money in 2019, have found life very difficult.
That is why the Ivory Coast star has been dubbed a ‘flop’ and many think Arsenal will just get shot of him this summer, especially given that the 28-year-old has 12 months left to run on his contract.
If he does leave, then the club are losing out on big money for the player, either way, but they will want a buyer this summer rather than loaning him given the status of his deal.
That’s why Arsenal transfer expert Watts thinks it ‘wouldn’t be the maddest of things’ that he actually stays in north London.
“One player who might be in that group of players that could leave this summer is Nicolas Pepe,” said Watts. “He has given an interesting interview to one of the French publications, speaking about his future and his relationship with Mikel Arteta ahead of his return to pre-season because he will be coming back.
“He is entering the final year of his contract at Arsenal – could Nicolas Pepe get a chance at Arsenal next season? I don’t think so. I would be surprised. But you never know.
“If you can’t find a buyer, then you might look to use Nicolas Pepe. He could cover for Bukayo Saka. I doubt it. But who knows?
“It wouldn’t be the maddest of things to do. We know he is a good player. He has done well. Everyone is going to label him a ‘flop’ for how much he cost and it’s going to be impossible for him to shake that price-tag off, but in the first season, he played really well.”
Saka shows Pepe the light…
Exactly what Saka has been doing at the Emirates during the past few years is what many thought Pepe was going to produce at the club.
But it’s the rising England star that has looked like the club-record signing, whilst Pepe has looked like the academy youngster trying to prove himself.
If someone puts money on the table for the player this summer, then you suspect he will go. It wouldn’t be a surprise if it’s a return to France because he just hasn’t been able to make it click in the Premier League.
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