New report reveals possible Arsenal plans for Nicolas Pepe after his return

Nicolas Pepe, Arsenal’s record signing, has had a tumultuous time at the club since his arrival in 2019. The Ivorian winger was brought in for a whopping £72 million from Lille, but has failed to live up to expectations at the Emirates Stadium.

After some disappointing seasons, Pepe was loaned out to Nice for the 2022/23 campaign. While he has shown glimpses of his talent with six goals in all competitions, reports suggest that Nice are not interested in signing him permanently. A report from The Telegraph has now confirmed that Nicolas Pepe might never play again for the gunners even though he will return to the Emirates Stadium after the season.

This leaves Arsenal with a dilemma. Pepe’s contract expires next summer, which means that the Gunners will have to sell him this summer if they want to recoup some of their investment. However, with Nice not keen on keeping him and Pepe’s inconsistent performances over the past few years, it is unlikely that Arsenal will be able to generate a significant transfer fee for him.

Pepe’s time at Arsenal has been marred by inconsistency and off-field issues. The 27-year-old has also struggled to adapt to the physicality and intensity of the Premier League, often being outmuscled by opposition defenders.

Despite his struggles, Pepe remains a talented player with immense potential. He was one of Ligue 1’s standout performers in the 2018/19 season, scoring 22 goals and providing 11 assists as Lille finished second behind Paris Saint-Germain.

Arsenal will have to decide whether they want to persist with Pepe or cut their losses this summer. If they choose the latter option, they may have to accept a lower transfer fee than what they paid for him a few years ago.

In conclusion, Nicolas Pepe’s future at Arsenal remains uncertain. While he has shown glimpses of his talent during his loan spell at Nice, it is unlikely that the French club will sign him permanently. Arsenal will have to decide whether they want to keep him and hope that he fulfills his potential or sell him this summer and accept a lower transfer fee. Whatever they decide, Pepe’s time at the Emirates Stadium has been a disappointment so far.