Arsenal must explore the opportunity to steal Paris-Saint Germain’s proposed Ousmane Dembele transfer. It is looking likely the Gunners will replace Nicolas Pepe, and Dembele would certainly be the ideal option.
According to Spanish outlet El Nacional, Barcelona believe that Dembele will join PSG for free this summer if Kylian Mbappe joins Real Madrid. This follows the claims by Italian outlet Calciomercato that Arsenal have set an asking price of £25m for Pepe this summer.
Six months ago a potential deal for Dembele would have disappointed Arsenal fans. However, an excellent resurrection of form in recent months proves that the Frenchman still has the quality that would enhance Mikel Arteta’s side.
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It seemed that Dembele’s career at Barcelona was all but over in the January transfer window, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s arrival has reignited the Frenchman’s career with the La Liga side. And it is a partnership the Arsenal fans could have enjoyed, with Dembele having been linked with a move to north London on more than one occasion.
Arsenal need to make the decision whether to keep or sell Pepe at the end of the season. This is because the Ivorian is entering the territory of having less than three years left on his contract.
Keeping him beyond two years remaining on his contract will massively devalue how much they can ask for him and increase the threat of losing him on a free transfer, which would be an nightmare scenario considering his £72m price tag. If Pepe fails to impress in the final stretch of the season, then £25m would be of some benefit to Edu.
If the Gunners were to sell Pepe at the end of the season, then competition alongside Saka would certainly be needed. Despite the excellent performances the Englishman has shown for Arsenal throughout the season, there has been times when he has shown signs of burnout, and having someone who can help successfully share the attacking load would certainly be beneficial.
With Pepe potentially departing the club, Dembele would certainly be an excellent replacement. The Frenchman has one goal and eight assists in his last six La Liga appearances, which led to him receiving a stand ovation from the Camp Nou crowd after Barcelona’ s 1-0 victory over Sevilla on Sunday evening. This is a major difference from the jeers he was receiving from the same crowd just two months earlier when the January window slammed shut.
According to Spanish news outlet El Chringuito, Dembele’s agent had a meeting with Arsenal, and with the Frenchman’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, he will be available on a free transfer. It will certainly be an excellent coup if Edu is able to secure a deal for the winger without having to pay a transfer fee, especially considering that he cost Barcelona £100m in 2017.
