NICOLAS PEPE has reportedly seen a £4million-a-year move to Saudi Arabia collapse, leaving him in the lurch.
The winger spent last season on loan with Nice to get away from North London following his horror £72million transfer in 2019.
He has returned to the Gunners this summer but manager Mikel Arteta is ready to sell the Ivorian international.
CBS initially reported that an unnamed club in Saudi had approached Arsenal over signing Pepe but personal terms were not agreed.
Now, they say the deal is off and have moved on to other targets.
Pepe, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Cedric Soares were all left out of Arsenal’s pre-season tour squad.
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Arteta has spent over £200million this summer alone, bringing in Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz.
Midfielder Rice – bought for £105m from West Ham – was singled out as a game-changer for Arsenal.
Arteta said: “What we are getting with Declan is his leadership, his aura.
“I see him like a lighthouse, that he is willing to put light in others and improve others and make the team better. And that is a huge quality.
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“The way he talks and presents himself and the ambition he has, and the passion towards the game, is exactly what we needed.
“He is going to bring the team to a different dimension.”
Rice made his debut in Arsenal colours in their 5-0 win over the MLS All-Stars, where Havertz also got his first Gunners goal.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
