With eight days left of the summer transfer window, every club will be looking to tie up any loose ends and ensure transfer deals get over the line, including Arsenal.
The Gunners have had a spectacular window so far, bringing in the likes of Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and David Raya.
Notwithstanding the injury to Timber which may see Mikel Arteta look to bring in cover, the north Londoners still have time to get some players out.
In the case of one player in particular, there’s an inherent need to move them on.
Former club record signing, Nicolas Pepe, has long since been a regular for the club, and was sent out on loan last season to Nice.
With Besiktas prepared to offer him a three-year deal it appeared that his Emirates Stadium nightmare would finally be over, but the player has apparently turned down a switch to the Super Lig side.
That means a race against time to get the 28-year-old out the door, but help could be at hand in the form of an as yet unnamed Saudi club.
??Un club saoudien dont l’identité n’a pas filtré s’est positionné sur Nicolas Pépé ces dernières heures
??Arsenal négocie l’indemnité de transfert
?C’est la piste la plus chaude pour l’ailier à qui il reste 1 an de contrat
?Pépé a refusé Besiktas qui proposait 3 ans de contrat pic.twitter.com/sMd4bH3ScS— Fabrice Hawkins (@FabriceHawkins) August 23, 2023
According to a tweet from RMC Sport journalist, Fabrice Hawkins, Arsenal are currently negotiating a fee for the player.
Given that he’s slipped way down the pecking order at the Premier League outfit, this may represent his best opportunity of first-team football in 2023/24.
Pepe needs to go for his own sake and AFC’s !
He just never seemed to fit AFC’s style but good luck to him he has always acted professionally in difficult circumstances.
This looks like the last throw of the dice for the lad, surely some kind of light should be spotted any minute