Why Martin Odegaard can benefit from 'next Thierry Henry' completing Arsenal transfer exit
Martin Odegaard could be an unlikely beneficiary from Nicolas Pepe's imminent exit from Arsenal. The Ivorian winger now has interest from a Saudi Pro League club, whilst Besiktas are prepared to offer a nominal fee to sign the 28-year-old.
The Ivory Coast international has less than 12 months on his current contract at the Emirates Stadium and he is not part of Mikel Arteta's plans for the 2023/24 season. Pepe, who spent last season on loan in Ligue 1 with OGC Nice, was left out of the pre-season squad for the Gunners' tour of America.
Reports in France claimed that Pepe was set to undergo a medical ahead of a move to Besiktas earlier this week — but now his future has taken a fresh twist. Journalist Fabrizio Romano has now claimed that he isn't aware of the Turkish side making a move for the Arsenal flop.
“Despite reports that a move for Nicolas Pepe to Besiktas is back on, I don’t have this information, as things stand,” Romano told Caught Offside.
“We will see what happens with Besiktas as interest is there since long time but I’m not aware of a done deal. Arsenal hope to find any solution for him as he’s 100% out of Mikel Arteta’s project.”
Pepe was signed for a then-club record fee of £72million back in 2019 — but his time at the Emirates Stadium has not been a success. It has been some fall from grace for Pepe, who was compared to Arsenal legend Thierry Henry by Graeme Souness in February 2020 following a brilliant goal against Newcastle.
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Nicolas Pepe exit, Neto deal, Toney twist, Saka message
The Liverpool icon said on Sky Sports: «I think there is a real, real player in there. You think of their best ever player Thierry [Henry], he came here and didn't have a great first season, took
Read on football.london
