Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was banking on a big deal going through involving a winger – but it looks like the move has fallen through
(Image credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Arsenal were hoping for a big-money deal involving a winger, which has now appeared to collapse.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has stressed that the summer isn't over in terms of transfers, despite spending around £200m on the likes of Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz. Arsenal would still like another midfielder and a right-winger to compete with Bukayo Saka.
Sales are now critical in order to boost transfer funds, however, with Arteta looking to shift a number of fringe stars in order to increase his ability to spend.
Mikel Arteta celebrates beating the MLS All-Stars 5-0 (Image credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
According to James Benge of CBS Sports, a move for Nicolas Pepe to go to Saudi Arabia is now off – meaning the winger will now have to find an alternative exit.
"The Ivory Coast international had been offered a package that included a €5m net salary in addition to significant bonuses but the club have now moved on to other targets," Benge writes.
Pepe joined Arsenal for £72m in 2019 under Unai Emery but has failed to light the Premier League up under successive managers and spent last season on loan at Nice, where he struggled to make a big impact upon his return to Ligue 1.
It was even suggested by The Athletic journalist James McNicholas's Gunnerblog YouTube channel that the north Londoners could even terminate Pepe's contract, just to get the wages off the books.
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Arsenal look likely to cut their losses over Pepe (Image credit: Getty)
Though the Gunners are in the market for competition in Pepe's position, it's not thought that the Ivorian is even an option anymore for Arteta, given that he hasn't travelled with the squad on preseason in America.
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.
