26 July 2023 , 13:51
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Nicolas Pepe trained in clothing which featured the logo of his old club, Angers, as he prepares for talks over his Arsenal future.
The Ivory Coast international, 28, joined the Gunners in what was a club-record £72million transfer back in 2019 but has failed to live up to expectations at the Emirates.
After spending last season out on loan, Pepe is currently rehabbing an injury alone whilst Arsenal are on their pre-season tour of the United States. And the winger made sure he wasn't wearing any Arsenal-branded clothing during clips of a workout he shared on his Instagram story, instead donning an Ivory Coast top and Angers shorts.
While Pepe was on the books at OGC Nice last season, Arsenal went from strength to strength under Mikel Arteta, finishing second in the Premier League.
The Spaniard has spent significant funds once again in a bid to improve his squad: Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber have all been acquired in a spree which is believed to have exceeded £200m.
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Arsenal are expected to try and move personnel on in a bid to recoup some of that outlay in the coming weeks, and Pepe is one of the players who could be on the move.
Arteta alluded to as much when discussing the decision to omit the winger from the travelling party ahead of the Gunners' trip to the States. Arteta said of Pepe: “At the moment he is recovering from an injury which is why he’s not here.
Join the debate! Do you think Arsenal should cut their losses on Pepe ? Let us know here.
Nicolas Pepe is expected to leave Arsenal for good this summer (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)“He had a spell on loan and obviously we wanted to get much more than we got from that loan spell. We have to see when we come back, understand what the plans are and make the right decision for him.”
Arsenal will be hoping Pepe attracts permanent offers this summer after a proposed move to the Saudi Pro League fell through earlier this month. According to football.london, though, the Gunners may even consider tearing up the final year of the forward's contract in a bid to move him on if such interest fails to materialise.
Pepe could be joined at the exit door by Folarin Balogun, who also spent last season on loan in Ligue 1. Unlike Pepe, the Gunners academy thrived at Reim, where he plundered 21 league goals for the French out.
Despite his impressive form, Balogun is desperate to continue playing regular first-team football and could move on permanently if a suitable bid is lodged in the coming weeks. Inter Milan have been credited with an interest in the striker's services, while there are also Premier League clubs monitoring Balogun's situation.
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