Nicolas Pepe, the Arsenal winger, is attracting interest from an unnamed Saudi Arabian club as he looks set to leave the Gunners this summer. The 28-year-old recently turned down a move to Besiktas and is now being pursued by a team from the Saudi Pro League.
Pepe has struggled to make an impact at Arsenal since his £72 million move from Lille in 2019. Despite showing glimpses of his talent, the Ivory Coast international has failed to consistently deliver for the North London club. With Arsenal looking to offload several players before the transfer window closes, Pepe finds himself on the list of potential departures.
During his time at Arsenal, Pepe has made 112 appearances, scoring 27 goals and providing 21 assists. However, his performances have been inconsistent, leading to a lack of confidence from both the fans and the coaching staff. As a result, Arsenal sent him out on loan to Nice last season in the hope that he could regain his form.
Besiktas were initially linked with a move for Pepe, but he rejected the opportunity to join the Turkish side. Now, an unnamed Saudi Arabian club has emerged as the frontrunner for his signature. Arsenal is currently negotiating a transfer fee with the mystery club, indicating that a move could be on the horizon.
The Middle East has seen a number of high-profile transfers this summer, with Saudi clubs offering lucrative contracts to entice players away from Europe. Neymar, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, and Cristiano Ronaldo have all made moves to the Saudi Pro League, highlighting the financial power of these clubs.
For Pepe, a move to Saudi Arabia could provide him with a fresh start and an opportunity to rediscover his best form. The change of scenery and the chance to play in a less competitive league may benefit him and allow him to rebuild his confidence.
As negotiations continue between Arsenal and the Saudi Arabian club, it remains to be seen whether a deal will be reached. However, with Pepe keen to leave and Arsenal looking to offload him, a transfer seems likely before the end of the summer window.
In conclusion, Nicolas Pepe’s time at Arsenal looks set to come to an end as he attracts interest from an unnamed Saudi Arabian club. The winger has struggled to make an impact since his move from Lille and is now on Arsenal’s list of players to offload. With negotiations underway, a move to Saudi Arabia could provide Pepe with a fresh start and the opportunity to rediscover his form. As the transfer window draws to a close, it will be interesting to see where Pepe ends up and how he fares in his new surroundings.