Arsenal report: Move for big-money winger has collapsed, in transfer shock

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was banking on a big deal going through involving a winger – but it looks like the move has fallen through

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta looks dejected during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Norwich City at Emirates Stadium on September 11, 2021 in London, England.
(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, Manager of Arsenal celebrates after the MLS All-Star Game between Arsenal FC and MLS All-Stars at Audi Field on July 19, 2023 in Washington, DC.

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.

Most expensive British signing

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.

Pepe is valued at €18m by Transfermarkt. 

More Arsenal stories

Arsenal transfer news is ramping up this summer, with the Gunners spending £200m early in the window. 

The Gunners could be targeting two more Manchester City players, according to reports. Xavi Simons is on the radar and Ivan Fresneda could join, though Arsenal could sell £100m worth of players, too. Romeo Lavia is in the crosshairs – though Liverpool want him, too. Takehiro Tomiyasu is set for an "intriguing switch", while Moises Caicedo looks Chelsea-bound. 

Arsenal are believed to want another right-winger, while Gabri Veiga favours Arsenal over Spurs. 

Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.