Nicolas Pepe: Arsenal Winger Attracts Interest from Turkish Clubs Besiktas and Fenerbahce
Nicolas Pepe’s time at Arsenal has been far from successful, and it seems that the club is now looking to offload the winger. Turkish sides Besiktas and Fenerbahce have both expressed interest in signing Pepe this summer.
Pepe joined Arsenal in 2019 for a staggering transfer fee of £72m after impressing with Lille in Ligue 1. However, his performances for the Gunners have been underwhelming, and he has failed to live up to his price tag. In three seasons with Arsenal, Pepe managed to score only 27 goals in 112 appearances.
Last season, Pepe was loaned back to Nice in France, and now that he has returned to Arsenal, it is clear that he is not in manager Mikel Arteta’s plans. The Gunners are actively seeking to offload the 28-year-old, and Turkish publication FotoMac reports that Besiktas has already begun negotiations with Arsenal for his transfer. Fenerbahce is also keeping a close eye on Pepe’s situation.
Pepe has one year left on his contract with Arsenal, and the club will be hoping to recoup at least a small fee for him. However, Besiktas is reportedly optimistic that they can secure his services on a free transfer by convincing Arsenal to cancel his contract.
The Ivorian winger has not been involved in Arsenal’s pre-season trip to America, but Arteta has attributed this absence to an injury. Speaking in July, Arteta said, “At the moment he is recovering from an injury which is why he’s not here. We have to see when we come back, understand what the plans are and make the right decision for him.”
It is clear that Pepe’s time at Arsenal has been disappointing, and both the player and the club will be looking for a fresh start. A move to Turkey could provide Pepe with the opportunity to revive his career and regain his form.
For Arsenal, offloading Pepe would free up valuable funds and allow them to reinvest in other areas of the squad. The Gunners have already been active in the transfer market this summer, signing goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale from Sheffield United and midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga from Anderlecht.
Besiktas and Fenerbahce are both well-established clubs in Turkish football, and a move to either team could offer Pepe the chance to play regularly and rediscover his confidence. The Turkish Super Lig has seen an influx of talented players in recent years, and Pepe could thrive in this competitive environment.
As negotiations continue between Arsenal and the interested Turkish clubs, it remains to be seen where Pepe will end up. However, it is clear that both Besiktas and Fenerbahce see potential in the winger and believe that he can still make a significant impact on the pitch.
In conclusion, Nicolas Pepe’s time at Arsenal has been far from successful, and it seems that his departure from the club is imminent. Turkish sides Besiktas and Fenerbahce have expressed interest in signing the winger, and negotiations are underway. Pepe’s underwhelming performances for Arsenal have led to his exclusion from the club’s plans, and a move to Turkey could provide him with a fresh start. For Arsenal, offloading Pepe would free up funds for further squad reinforcements. As the transfer window progresses, it will be interesting to see where Pepe ultimately ends up and whether he can rediscover his form in a new environment.