Nicolas Pepe is not finding much playing time at Arsenal and AC Milan are one of the teams that could probe his availability, according to a report.
The Gunners are in a battle for a top four spot but the Ivorian winger has only played as a substitute recently with Mikel Arteta preferring other options. Calciomercato.it report that it is inevitable that a player like Pepé will be able to look around at the end of the season if no guarantees arrive regarding his role.
His contract is expiring in June 2024, something which could push Arsenal towards selling this summer given next summer (2023) will be one year from the deadline for the former Lille man, who cost them €79m (via Wiki).
While on international duty with Ivory Coast, Pepe made it clear that he is not enjoying his lack of playing time.
“I am focused on how we will do well until the end of the season and on the club’s goal, which is to get into the Champions League. Then we’ll see what happens,” he said.
“It is an honour to play for the Ivory Coast. The most important thing is to enjoy football. This is something I am able to do when I have a chance to play. It’s happening internationally and a little less at the club level. It’s frustrating not to play. No player likes not to play but I have to respect the manager’s decision.”
The report adds that Pepé would represent the ideal profile for Milan, who are looking for a player who can make a difference on the right wing and has a link through Rafael Leao and Mike Maignan after they were at Lille.
Of course the management will also have to understand what the asking price of Arsenal will be, but the 26-year-old could be a real market opportunity.
It shows how low we’ve fallen, every Tom, Dick and Harry is associated with Milan.
You’ll never see these calibres of players associated with Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.
Mtcheeww!!!!
If we sign Origi, Pepe, Botman and Renato, along with Leao, Maignan and Kjaer, we’ll have almost an entire team of former Lille players 😅
Best Comment ever! I loled irl!
I said before, buy all club Lille.
Well there is no way we can pay his salary or transfer fee. Maybe we Will just waiting him free transfer at 2024. He is good right Winger when play at Lille and forming lethal partnership with leao