Arsenal are prepared to allow winger Nicolas Pepe to leave north London as a free agent this summer if they cannot find a buying club for their former club record signing
Arsenal are planning to terminate the contract of £72million signing Nicolas Pepe if they cannot secure a transfer fee for him this summer.
The Ivorian spent last season on loan at Nice last season and found the net eight times in 28 appearances. However, he suffered knee injuries in the second half of the campaign and was only involved in 19 Ligue 1 matches throughout the campaign
Nice did not make his loan move permanent, meaning that he returned to the Gunners this summer. The 28-year-old was not included in Arsenal ’s pre-season tour of the United States and the club are keen to conclude his exit this transfer window – ideally for a transfer fee.
Mikel Arteta was asked about the situation earlier this week. The boss explained why the winger had not been included in the squad and spoke of his future: “At the moment he is recovering from an injury which is why he’s not here.
“He had a spell on loan and obviously we wanted to get much more than we got from that loan spell. We have to see when we come back, understand what the plans are and make the right decision for him.”
Pepe was signed for £72million – a club record transfer fee prior to the arrival of Declan Rice this summer – back in the summer of 2019 having starred at Lille, and he has just one year left to run on his contract with the Gunners. He bagged 27 goals across three seasons prior to his loan exit last summer.
Pepe endured an underwhelming loan spell with Nice last season
However, the winger has not made a Premier League start since October 2021 in a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace. “I will return to Arsenal. I was loaned without an option to buy so I have to go back to Arsenal,” Pepe said earlier this summer.
“I don’t know [about my future] yet. When I get back, I’ll speak with the coach and everyone and see what everyone’s ideas are and then we’ll make a decision.”
Arsenal have no plans for Pepe this season and the club are keen to move him on as swiftly as possible. This would save the club his wage for the upcoming campaign and could potentially secure a transfer fee.
According to Football London, Arsenal are even considering terminating his contract – which would allow the player to find a new club. It remains to be seen if this will materialise, but it is a back-up option if Arsenal fail to find a buyer.