Arsenal are reportedly open to letting Nicolas Pepe leave on loan in the final hours of the January transfer window.
90min claim that the Gunners are prepared to let their club-record signing leave on deadline day despite Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the verge of joining FC Barcelona and Pepe coming off the back of a brilliant Africa Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast.
Pepe has struggled for regular first-team minutes this season with Bukayo Saka making the right-wing position his own for Arsenal and Gabriel Martinelli emerging as one of the Gunners’ most dangerous attacking options.
The Ivorian’s contract expires in 2024, and according to 90min, there is a chance Pepe could leave Arsenal in the coming hours, with an unnamed Spanish club confident on agreeing a deal for the winger.
With teams in Germany and France also interested in the winger, there could be a late move for the former LOSC Lille attacker. However, it is unlikely that the Arsenal will allow Pepe to depart unless a replacement is signed.
Reports suggest that Arsenal are pushing to sign Alexander Isak today as per Football London. However, given the finances involved, it is likely that the Gunners will end the window today empty-handed.
Arsenal should keep Pepe with Aubameyang close to Barcelona loan
Attacking options are light at Arsenal, as does the rest of the squad. Yet whilst Pepe has been in poor form this season, his performances in Cameroon at AFCON gave supporters and pundits a much-needed reminder of how good the forward can be.
With Aubameyang heading out the door, Pepe could be a realistic option to lead the line for Arsenal given his finishing ability. And for the Gunners, it would be top-four suicide if they were to allow the 26-year-old to leave on loan today.
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