Arsenal wideman Nicolas Pepe has announced that he has changed his agent with just a few weeks to go until the summer transfer window opens.
The Ivorian - who is still the Gunners’ record signing having been recruited for a £72m fee from French outfit Lille back in 2019 - announced his switch of representation with a statement on his official Instagram account.
He wrote: “I’m beyond happy to announce that I’m joining the @lf360.official , that will be managing my career from now on. I fully trust in Luis Ferrer and his team to help me doing the right choices, and get to new summits and challenges in the best possible way.
"My family and I are really looking forward to what’s next, and I’m more motivated than ever to pursue my goals for the end of the season and the year to come. Thanks for your support. NP19.”
It remains to be seen whether Pepe will push for an exit from north London in the upcoming window. He has fallen out of contention under Mikel Arteta over the past season.
The 26-year-old has made just 21 appearances in all competitions so far this term - only eight of those being starts - the Arsenal boss preferring Gunners’ academy graduate Bukayo Saka in Pepe’s natural right-wing berth. It has been reported that Spanish side Sevilla could be interested in a swoop for the Arsenal man with Man United winger Anthony Martial expected to return to Old Trafford come the conclusion of his loan spell in La Liga.
Should Arsenal cut their losses by selling Nicolas Pepe? Have your say in the comments below.
Gunners boss Arteta has warned Pepe that he has to improve should he want to earn back a place in the side. Speaking last month, the Spaniard said: " I think with Nico it is because he hasn’t shown anything different to me. I don’t want to find players who have the complacency to accept the situation.
“They have to want to improve, try to get the player who is playing to a different level and helping the team more. When you have the opportunity, you have to take it."
Arsenal are certainly presented with a decision regarding the future of Pepe as the summer transfer window edges into view. He has just over two years remaining on his current deal at the Emirates Stadium and it looks highly unlikely that the club will be able to recoup anywhere near the huge fee that they originally paid for his services.
In his time with the club, Pepe has scored just 27 goals in an Arsenal shirt - that following his final season at Lille where he struck on a sensational 23 occasions in all competitions.
Meanwhile, Arsenal appear close to making their first addition of the summer. As per reports in Brazil, the Gunners are set to sign promising Brazilian talent Marquinhos from Sao Paulo.
