Here we go again, same old Arsenal but just a different player ahead of a transfer window. Although, this summer could mark the end of a trend that has become familiar with the club in recent years.
The one thing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Shkodran Mustafi all have in common is that they are four of the most expensive signings in the Gunners' history - with the former pair, at one stage, holding the honour of being the club's record signing.
Of course, none of the quartet are at Arsenal right now and it won't be lost on supporters that not a single penny was received for any with the rare swap deal involving Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Sanchez proving to be the only time the club got something in return aside from saving millions on wages.
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Alexandre Lacazette - a £46.5m arrival from Lyon in 2017 - could be added to this list before too long. The Frenchman is out of contract in June and amid talk of the Gunners signing Gabriel Jesus and Tammy Abraham this summer, it would appear that the 30-year-old will be available on a free transfer.
If this scenario plays out then exactly half of Arsenal's most expensive signings will have departed without the club receiving a fee and the only difference being that Lacazette will be the first to leave at the end of his contract instead of agreeing to a mutual termination like Aubameyang, Ozil and Mustafi.
Although, Nicolas Pepe can end this particular trend. The Ivory Coast international is the club's record signing having joined for £72m from Ligue 1 outfit Lille in the summer of 2019 on the back of an impressive season where only Paris Saint-Germain ace Kylian Mbappe outscored him across the entire division.
But after nearly three full seasons in north London, all signs are pointing towards a parting of ways once the summer transfer window opens with reports claiming that Arsenal are ready to listen to offers for the 26-year-old as they look to generate funds to bolster Mikel Arteta's first-team squad.
In addition, it has been stated the Gunners are resigned to making a loss on Pepe and would happily accept an offer in the region of £25m which is a good price considering the winger has an estimated transfer value of €20m-€30m (£16m-£25m) as per the CIES Football Observatory.
In truth, it was always unlikely that Arsenal were ever going to recoup anything close to the £72m fee paid to Lille to secure the winger's signature and as Pepe will soon have two years remaining on his contract, the club are entering the infamous 'sign or sell' territory.
Naturally, clarity over his future will be high on the agenda for Arteta and technical director Edu as soon as the season ends and if the pair can command a fee for Pepe it will be a step in the direction when taking into consideration how little the club have received for their other big-money recruits.
