Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Porto star Pepe.
The Brazilian winger, 25, has impressed in Portugal this season, scoring six goals and providing five assists in all competitions to help Porto win the league title. Pepe joined the two-time European Cup winners ahead of the current season after helping Gremio win four consecutive Brazilian titles. He is yet to win a senior cap at international level.
If the Gunners complete a deal for Pepe, he will be the second Pepe in their squad after Nicolas Pepe. Arsenal paid Lille £72million for the Ivory Coast international, 26, in the summer of 2019 - but he's only found the back of the net 27 times in all competitions since.
As such, it's believed manager Mikel Arteta is looking for a new winger to give his team more firepower up front. According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, the Spaniard has been monitoring Pepe's progress at Porto and is weighing up a move for him.
The talent's existing deal doesn't expire until June 2026, yet Arsenal can release him from that by triggering his reported €60m clause (around £51.3m). The Gunners may tempt the Portuguese giants with a lower offer for Pepe if rumours are to be believed.
Fellow Portuguese outlet Record, meanwhile, claim that more than one Premier League club are interested in bringing Pepe to England this summer. That report suggests his release clause is actually €70m (around £59.9m) with Porto demanding €60m.
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Pepe is thought to be valued at €40m (around £34.2m) by English clubs, which could derail his hopes of a move. That wouldn't necessarily be the end of the world for potential suitors because - assuming his release clause doesn't increase - that gives him more time to adapt to European football. A move in the summer of 2023 seems more likely.
In terms of Nicolas Pepe's future, it's unclear whether he'll still be at the Emirates come September. The winger is no longer a guaranteed starter under Arteta, making just five Premier League starts this season - the most recent coming in October.
Pepe still has 25 months remaining on his existing deal - worth £140,000-a-week - yet it's believed the Gunners are willing to sell him for just £25m this summer. Spanish outfit Sevilla are among those linked with the winger. Transfermarkt value him at £27m.
Pepe will be disappointed at how his Arsenal career has panned out. He was expected to improve this season after a decent 2020-21, scoring 16 goals and providing six assists to come second in the club's Player of the Year vote. Bukayo Saka won the award.
The former Lille star's fall from grace has coincided with the emergence of Gabriel Martinelli. The Brazilian, 20, is enjoying a breakthrough season at the Emirates, scoring five goals and producing six assists. Many believe he's got a bright future ahead of him.
Emile Smith Rowe is also enjoying the first great term of his Arsenal career. The England international, 21, has scored 11 goals and provided two assists this season.
