Nicolas Pepe 'wants to leave Arsenal this summer' and 'hires a new agent to find him an alternative club' after falling down the pecking order under Mikel Arteta
- Nicolas Pepe wants to leave Arsenal during the summer transfer window
- The 26-year-old has asked his agent to begin talks with potential suitors
- Pepe became the Gunners' record signing in 2019 when he joined from Lille
- However, he has struggled to cement his place in the starting XI under Arteta
Nicolas Pepe wants to leave Arsenal during the summer transfer window and has reportedly asked his agent to begin negotiations with other clubs.
Pepe became the Gunners' record signing in 2019 when he joined from Lille for £72million, but he has struggled to cement his place in the first XI this season.
The Ivory Coast international has started just five Premier League games this season and has contributed just one goal and one assist during his 19 domestic outings.
Nicolas Pepe wants to leave Arsenal after failing to cement a place in Mikel Arteta's starting XI
The Ivory Coast international has started just five Premier League games this season
Pepe has been playing second fiddle to the likes of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith-Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli this season.
As a result, the 26-year-old has hired a new agent to help secure a move away from the Emirates Stadium this summer, according to Football.London.
However, that could work in Arsenal's favour as they are said to be ready to offload Pepe for just £25m following his underwhelming three-year stint at the club.
The money made from Pepe's sale could also help Arsenal afford their summer targets - such as Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus and Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans.
Pepe has been playing second fiddle to the likes of Bukayo Saka (right) and Emile Smith-Rowe
Arsenal's technical director Edu has said he is 'excited' about the upcoming transfer window
Arsenal's technical director Edu has said he is 'excited' about the upcoming transfer window and revealed the club's plans to add 'one or two players' to their current squad.
Speaking to ESPN Brazil, Edu said: 'The budget we used last summer, we prefer to use it to rebalance the squad, there was no point in hiring one or two players [in January].
'The squad was not prepared to absorb two players, we needed to rebalance the squad. Maybe next season we can go to one or two players.
'Today we find a much more balanced squad. Our planning has already been done, it has already reached the owners.
'It's a matter of step by step, how we are going to finish the season and to put in place the planning that I'm very excited about.'
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