Journalist Ben Jacobs has revealed that Nicolas Pepe looks set to continue at Arsenal beyond this summer.
The club-record £72m signing was touted with a move away from the club in the current transfer window with a number of clubs reportedly interested in taking him off the Gunners’ hands.
Leeds United, Sevilla, Lyon and Marseille are said to be monitoring the former Lille ace’s situation after a difficult period in north London, which has seen him score 16 goals and provide nine assists in 80 Premier League appearances, with an average of just 53.8 minutes per outing.
However, Jacobs has now revealed that the Ivorian is willing to ‘fight for his place’ at the Emirates Stadium.
Speaking on Wednesday’s episode of The Done Deal Show, he said: “I know that in the last day or so, Pepe himself has seemingly committed his future to Arsenal and wants to fight for his place under Arteta.
“There is some interest in him, but Arsenal are well aware they won’t even get half, I don’t think, the £72m that they paid for him and that is a challenge.
“Many Arsenal fans would like to just cut their losses and offload him, but he is only 27, so that’s one to watch during the window.”
TIF Thoughts on Pepe and Arsenal…
Will Nicolas Pepe be an Arsenal player next season?
Yes
No
While it will be hard to dislodge Bukayo Saka on the right wing, Pepe could yet be a useful option for Arteta.
His average of 0.59 non-penalty expected goals and assists per 90 minutes still sees him rank in the top 12% of that area among wingers and attacking midfielders across Europe over the past year (as per FBref).
That does, in fact, place him higher than Saka (0.46) and demonstrates that perhaps he is worthy of sticking around and being given another chance to show his worth and at least repay some of the £72m the club forked out to bring him in.