Nicolas Pepe is on the verge of leaving Arsenal on a permanent basis.
- Nicolas Pepe was Arsenal’s club record signing until recently
- Winger spent last season on loan at Nice in France
- Turkey & Saudi Arabia still have open transfer windows
Besiktas are close to completing a deal for Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe, according to 90min, with the Turkish transfer window remaining open until September 15th.
The 28-year-old, who was Arsenal’s record signing at £72 million until Declan Rice arrived in July, has long acknowledged that his future lay outside of the Emirates Stadium. With one year remaining on his Gunners deal, the stars are aligning for him to complete a transfer.
Pepe earned his name over two successful seasons with Lille and spent last season on loan with Nice in France. A return to the Arsenal squad was never an option, with manager Mikel Arteta just confirming his release.
“We are still looking for solutions,” stated Arteta last week. “There is a lot of communication going on right now between his agent, the player, and the club, but there is nothing else to announce at the moment.”
Pepe is set to join Besiktas, according to 90min. Arsenal will get a minimal price from Istanbul for the Ivory Coast international. Pepe is reportedly expected to take a hefty pay cut in order to transfer to Turkey’s Super Lig.
Nicolas Pepe is on the verge of leaving Arsenal on a permanent basis.
Pepe, who joined Arsenal in 2019, remains one of the club’s highest-paid players, earning almost £250,000 per week. That is one of the reasons the Gunners have been eager to get rid of him.
A number of Saudi Pro League clubs are said to have expressed interest, but the player himself choose to stay in Europe and is now on his way to Turkey.
