Revealed: What Arsenal is planning to do with Nicolas Pepe in the summer

Arsenal are reportedly ready to part ways with their club-record signing, Nicolas Pepe. The Ivorian winger was signed for a whopping £72million in 2019 but has failed to live up to expectations at the Emirates Stadium.

Pepe is currently on loan at Nice this season, and it is believed that the French club will not sign him permanently. As a result, he will return to Arsenal at the end of the campaign with just one year remaining on his contract.

The Gunners are keen to sell Pepe before he leaves on a free transfer next year. However, his current wages are seen as a stumbling block to any potential departure. Arsenal may have to pay at least part of the £7million he is still due from his contract to let him go as per The Sun.

Pepe’s time at Arsenal has been underwhelming, with just 16 goals in 80 appearances across all competitions. He has struggled for consistency and has often been criticized for his lack of defensive work rate.

ST ALBANS, ENGLAND – MARCH 01: Arsenal Head Caoch Mikel Arteta with Nicolas Pepe during a training session at London Colney on March 01, 2020 in St Albans, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Despite his struggles, Pepe remains a talented player with potential. His performances for Lille in the 2018/19 season earned him the move to Arsenal in the first place. However, it seems that things have not worked out for him in North London.

Arsenal’s decision to sign Pepe for such a high fee was seen as a statement of intent at the time. However, it now appears that they may have overpaid for a player who has not delivered on his promise.

If Arsenal do decide to sell Pepe this summer, they will need to find a buyer who is willing to take on his wages and pay a significant transfer fee. Given his recent form and contract situation, this may prove difficult.

Overall, it seems that Arsenal are ready to cut their losses with Nicolas Pepe. While he remains a talented player, he has not lived up to expectations at the Emirates Stadium. It remains to be seen whether the Gunners will be able to find a buyer for him this summer.