According to The Daily Star, Arsenal may be open to letting Nicolas Pepe leave the club in 2021, either in a swap or on loan.
The winger was given a chance to shine against Leeds United last weekend, but was sent off early into the second half for headbutting Ezgjan Alioski.
Mikel Arteta publicly criticised the Ivorian, but then gave him an opportunity to redeem himself in the Europa League against Molde, and he responded with a superb goal and all-round impressive display.
Arteta seemingly suggested that Pepe’s career at Arsenal is far from over, but these reports now suggest that the Gunners are at least open to a deal.
If a suitable offer arrives, Arsenal would allegedly be prepared to shift Pepe and his £140,000-a-week wages, despite him working hard in training.
The Arsenal hierarchy allegedly think they paid far too much by agreeing a £72million deal for Pepe, and would consider swap deals involving players plus cash, or a loan-to-buy deal.
Finding a suitor won’t exactly be easy, as the 24-year-old has failed to recapture his Lille form since heading to Arsenal in 2019, whilst Unai Emery admitted to The Guardian earlier this year that he was unsure about Pepe and wanted Wilfried Zaha instead.
This report coming so soon after a strong performance and backing from Arteta seems strange, and we’re ruling that Pepe’s situation is much like that of any other player – available at the right price, but not actively on the market.
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