Arsenal is parting ways with their most expensive player, Pepe

 Arsenal is parting ways with their most expensive player, Pepe

Arsenal no longer wishes to keep Pépé

Almost the entire season, Arsenal had hopes of winning the English Premier League after 19 years, competing closely with the other teams. They were at the top of the table with 248 points. However, Arsenal faltered towards the end of the league. They had overtaken Manchester City, who had an unbelievable decline since April, to claim the top spot. But City eventually won the title, leaving Arsenal behind with only three matches remaining.

Nevertheless, Arsenal has already begun reshaping the team with the goal of winning the title in the upcoming season. They have signed Kai Havertz from Chelsea for £65 million, making him the most expensive player in London. They have also secured Declan Rice from West Ham and Uruguayan Timbarco from Ajax, the most successful club in the Netherlands.

To acquire Rice, Arsenal would need to spend £105 million, and for Timbarco, they would have to pay £45 million. This means that the club has to invest £210 million to bring in these three players, which completely deviates from the club's long-standing tradition. During Arsène Wenger's 22-year tenure as Arsenal's coach, the club never indulged in exorbitant spending in the transfer market. Wenger's policy was to buy young talents at a low cost or bring them up from the academy. After they developed into stars, they would be sold at higher prices, allowing the club to acquire several potential players with that money.

However, since Mikel Arteta became Arsenal's coach, the club has started to change its philosophy regarding transfer spending. The current coach, Mikel Arteta, follows the same trend. This is evident from the huge sums spent behind Havertz, Rice, and Timbarco. If Rice is brought in for $13 million, he will become the most expensive footballer in Arsenal's history. To accomplish this, they would have to sell the most valuable player in their current squad.

At this moment, Nicolas Pépé is the most expensive player in Arsenal. In 2019, he was brought in by the Gunners for £72 million. However, he hasn't justified such a high payment like Ivorian winger Wilfried Zaha. In his tenure at the club, he has only scored 27 goals in 112 matches. Last season, he was loaned out to a French club. At the end of the season, he returned to Arsenal.

However, Sky Sports has reported that Arsenal no longer wishes to keep Pépé. They want to part ways with him in this summer transfer window. His contract with the London club will expire in June of the upcoming year. After that, he will become a free agent. Arsenal will not receive any money from Pépé's transfer at that time. Therefore, they want to get rid of him as quickly as possible.

Not only that, Arsenal wants to buy more players after Havertz, Rice, and Timber. They have their eyes on the renowned talents Arda Güler, known as the "Turkish Messi." Barcelona is also interested in acquiring these young attacking midfielders. Arsenal has had to dig deep into their pockets to bring these three players in. Bringing in Güler and the others from Barcelona will require additional expenses for the club. To balance the cost of transfers, Arsenal wants to offload five more players along with Pépé. They are Florian Balogun, Albert Sambi-Lokonga, Nuno Tavares, Cedric Soares, and Markinios.

Like Pépé, Balogun was also loaned out to France last season by Arsenal. This striker, who emerged from the club's academy, went to play in the United States for the success he achieved there. He scored an impressive 21 goals in the French Ligue A season, placing him fourth in the highest scorers' list. For this reason, he has caught the attention of Rennes, who are eager to acquire him. Sky Sports has reported that Rennes has also made a £5 million offer to Arsenal for Balogun.

Arsenal also loaned Brazilian winger Markinios last season. He played for English club Norwich City. If they fail to sell him in the upcoming transfer window, Arsenal is considering sending Markinios along with Sambi-Lokonga, Tavares, and Soares.