Leeds United in transfer tussle to sign Nicolas Pepe

Leeds United will reportedly wage a battle with several other clubs in the race to sign Nicolas Pepe from Arsenal in the summer transfer window.

According to a report by Spanish outlet Diario de Sevilla, Nicolas Pepe is the subject of interest from Leeds United over a possible move in the summer transfer window. The Arsenal attacker is also a target for several other clubs across Europe, including Sevilla, Lyon, and Marseille, with the Gunners demanding €25 million for him.

Nicolas Pepe became Arsenal’s record signing when he arrived from LOSC Lille in August 2019. The Gunners had shelled out €79 million to secure the services of the Ivory Coast international. And it is fair to say that the investment has not paid off one bit, with the 27-year-old largely flattering to deceive.

The player has had some bright moments in an Arsenal shirt, but his record of 27 goals and 21 assists in 112 appearances is underwhelming. And after a disastrous 2021/22 campaign, Pepe is surplus to requirements at the Emirates, with the north Londoners keen on cutting their losses on him. Leeds United could offer the Ivorian an escape route out of Arsenal.

Jesse Marsch is rebuilding the Leeds United squad this summer after they narrowly avoided the drop from the Premier League on the final day of the 2021/22 season. The Whites have been busy in the market thus far, bringing in six players while selling two pivotal figures in Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha.

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Raphinha’s departure could hurt Leeds badly, and even though they have brought in Luis Sinisterra from Feyenoord, they need more quality in the final third. In addition, Jack Harrison faces an uncertain future at Elland Road amid interest from Newcastle United, prompting Leeds to scour the market for another wide-attacker.

Pepe has thus emerged as a viable target for Leeds United, with the Arsenal attacker bringing three years of Premier League experience to the table. While things have not gone to plan at Arsenal for the former Lille talisman, he can still offer the best years of his career to Leeds.

But the West Yorkshire club will need to fend off stiff competition from several European bigwigs, with Sevilla, Lyon, and Marseille also keen on signing him. The Andalusian giants have already contacted Arsenal to discuss a move for the Ivory Coast international, offering €15 million upfront.

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But Arsenal will only let Pepe leave if a suitor shells out €25 million. With Leeds already spending a lot on their six signings, it is unclear if they will be able to afford the Gunners’ valuation. But with Sevilla falling short of the €25 million price tag, Leeds will have a window of opportunity to launch the offensive for Pepe, who wants to embark on a new adventure this summer.