Arsenal could take advantage of Saudi Arabia's burgeoning league and sell some deadwood
(Image credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal could sell one of their stars to Saudi Arabia, as they look to recoup some money and bolster their transfer funds this summer.
The Gunners have big plans for the transfer window, with Declan Rice rumoured to be close to agreeing a deal. Arsenal have struggled to sell players since the end of the Arsene Wenger days but may well buck that trend this summer with the likes of Kieran Tierney, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Folarin Balogun targets for European sides.
Intriguingly, two other stars have begun looking for moves – and one may find a new home in the Saudi Pro League, following the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Steven Gerrard to the Middle East.
Cristiano Ronaldo has led a revolution of more Europe-based stars heading to the Middle East (Image credit: Getty Images)
According to journalist Chris Wheatley, Cedric Soares and Nicolas Pepe are both seeking exits from the Emirates Stadium after loan spells, with the latter a target for the Saudi Pro League.
Pepe joined Arsenal in 2019 for £72m, becoming the club's record signing and a statement buy under Unai Emery. After three seasons in north London, however, the Ivorian failed to deliver anything close to the form he displayed at Lille, going on loan to Nice for the 2022/23 season.
Arsenal wouldn't come anywhere near to collecting the full £72m that they shelled out for Pepe but the Saudi Pro League would at least be likely to offer the winger something close to the wages he has enjoyed from the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta has since replaced Pepe with Bukayo Saka on the right wing, with Reiss Nelson expected to sign a new deal as the England star's deputy on that flank, as per Art De Roche of The Athletic.
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Nicolas Pepe cost Arsenal £72m – but failed to light up the Premier League (Image credit: Getty)
With Arsenal targeting expensive new additions for this transfer window, getting rid of Pepe would not only be useful to bring in more money to spend, it would free up more of the wage budget.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
