Leicester City have reportedly registered an interest in Nicolas Pepe, which could help Arsenal to pull off a big transfer of their own.
Pepe has struggled for minutes at Arsenal of late. Indeed, he made just eight starts in all competitions throughout the entirety of last season.
This season, he is yet to make it on the pitch. Indeed, Bukayo Saka is now the preferred player to fill the role as the Gunners’ right winger.
As such, Pepe may be better served moving on from The Emirates. French side Nice are reportedly keen on taking him on board on a loan deal.
However, Leicester are now also interested in the Ivorian, according to French outlet Media Foot.
The Foxes have just two wingers in their squad – Marc Albrighton and Harvey Barnes. As such, it seems they want to boost their ranks out wide.
The report does not mention if they want a loan – like Nice do – or a permanent transfer.
The latter would play into the hands of Arsenal, amid their pursuit of Leicester star Youri Tielemans.
He has been one of the Gunners’ biggest targets, and they have been chasing him for much of the summer. It seems that the Belgian wants to make the move to north London, too.
Indeed, Leicester moving for Pepe could allow Arsenal an easier deal for Tielemans. They may be able to negotiate a lower fee, or even a swap, in part.
Arsenal winners should Nicolas Pepe swap happen
Should some form of swap deal happen, Arsenal would come out as winners. Indeed, they have been tracking Tielemans for months, and for good reason.
The midfielder has been one of Leicester’s most crucial assets over the past couple of seasons. A midfield duo of him and Martin Odegaard would be a fantastic one, that could no doubt outplay most midfields in the league.
Pepe, on the other hand, has not been at his best during his time at Arsenal. He has managed to find the net just 27 times in more than 100 appearances for the Gunners.
He clearly has more to offer, given he contributed to 33 goals in his last season in Ligue 1, for Lille. With that being said, a move to another side could bring that back out of him.
However, Arsenal has not been a success for him, and they would be better for offloading him and bringing in Tielemans.