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Arsenal are preparing a move to sign winger Pepe from Portuguese champions FC Porto, according to reports…
THE LOWDOWN: ATTACKING UNCERTAINTY
The Gunners are currently on the lookout for attacking players who can bolster their ranks for next season.
Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah who are both out of contract at the end of the season look set to leave the Gunners this summer, while Nicolas Pepe also faces an uncertain future at the club.
According to the Evening Standard, the club will hold talks with their record signing at the end of the season.
Arsenal have been heavily linked with Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus in recent weeks.
Now, it looks as though Mikel Arteta is looking at another Brazilian to potentially bring to north London.
THE LATEST: SET THEIR SIGHTS
According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, the north London outfit have set their sights on Porto winger Pepê.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta reportedly ‘appreciates the winger’s qualities and his capacity of adapting to many positions on the pitch’.
A Bola also claims Pepê has a €60m (£51.3m) release clause and notes that his contract runs until 2026.
THE VERDICT: HEFTY PRICE TAG
The 25-year-old, who only arrived at the Estadio do Dragao last July from Gremio for a fee of £13.5m, has enjoyed a successful debut campaign in Europe having helped his side win the Primeira Liga title.
While the £13.5m-rated wing-wizard’s numbers – six goals and five assists in 40 outings – seem reasonably average, the forward has got plenty of people talking in Portugal this season with his performances.
His appearances have mostly come from the bench this season, starting just 14 Primeira Liga games out of 27 however, when he is on the field of play, he’s perfectly capable of making an impact.
The former Brazilian U23 star averages 1.1 key passes per game in the Portuguese top flight, as well as creating an impressive seven big chances from open play, leading to three assists {SofaScore}. He’s also successfully completed 56% of his dribbles so far this campaign, highlighting his penchant to dazzle his markers and form chances for his teammates.
With former Lille star and namesake Pepe potentially leaving the Emirates at the end of the season, as well as Lacazette and Nketiah, it is clear attacking reinforcements are needed at the club, and signing Porto’s wing-wizard could represent a welcome opportunity for the Gunners to bolster their attacking weaponry, but whether they would activate his release clause of around £50m this summer is highly unlikely. A hefty price tag.
AND in other news, Arsenal interested in “spectacular” £49.50m-rated ace, who is an upgrade on Xhaka – opinion
