2 years ago
According to sources, LEEDS is interested in signing Nicolas Pepe to replace Raphinha, who is on his way to Barcelona.
After sliding down the pecking order under Mikel Arteta, Pepe, 27, is now a transfer candidate at Arsenal.
The Ivorian joined Emirates Stadium for £72 million in 2019, but only made five Premier League starts the previous season.
Diario de Seville claims that Leeds and Sevilla are vying for Pepe's services.
The winger has a £25 million price tag because the Gunners are willing to take a significant loss on him.
Sevilla is hopeful Pepe will agree to a decrease in his £100,000 per week salary.
After deciding to sell Raphinha to Barcelona for £58 million, Leeds are looking for a right-sided attacker.
Ironically, Raphinha took Pepe's spot at Lille after the Arsenal star moved to North London in 2019.
With the Gunners, Pepe has made 112 appearances and contributed 21 assists along with 27 goals.
Despite playing fewer games last season, he only bagged three times.
Prior to the addition of Fabio Vieira, Gabriel Jesus, and Marquinhos to the pecking order, he was judged to be below players like Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, and Gabriel Martinelli.
Last week, Pepe played in a preseason match as Arsenal defeated FC Nurnberg 5-3.
Leeds has already experienced a hectic summer.
Six new players have joined Jesse Marsch's team, costing a total of £95 million: Brendan Aaronson, Rasmus Kristensen, Marc Roca, Darko Gyabi, Tyler Adams, and Luis Sinisterra.
They have lost top midfielder Kalvin Phillips to Manchester City in addition to losing Raphinha.
Nicolas Pepe has already been replaced at Arsenal, thus he must be sold shortly.
Arsenal will never be able to recover even a fraction of the £72 million they spent to acquire Nicolas Pepe in 2019. Therefore, it would be best for them to accept the loss right away and move on.
This summer, the Gunners acquired Brazilian winger Marquinhos, 19, from Sao Paulo, who appears to be a capable substitute for Pepe. The young Brazilian prodigy, like the Ivorian, prefers to play from the right side and is left-footed.
With players like Saka, Martinelli, Smith Rowe, and Marquinhos on the flanks, Arteta has access to a wealth of quality. Fabio Vieira can also play on the right wing, among other positions.
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