Former Arsenal record signing, 29, ‘could make shock return to Premier League as Everton and Wolves circle for transfer’
ARSENAL biggest-ever flop signing could be given another chance to shine in the Premier League.
The Gunners smashed their transfer record when they paid an astonishing £72million for Nicolas Pepe‘s services from Lille in 2019.
Pepe, now 29, failed to justify that massive fee – which has since been topped by the £100m arrival of Declan Rice in 2023 – in four years at the Emirates.
He made 112 appearances for Arsenal in total, scoring 27 goals.
His most prolific campaign came during the Covid-hit 2020/21 season, where he hit 10 goals in 29 Premier League appearances, adding an assist for good measure.
But his game time began to rapidly decrease in the following seasons, after Pepe scored just one goal and made two assists in the 21/22 campaign.
He was shipped out on loan to Nice and Trabzonspor in 22/23 and 23/24, before he found a permanent home at Villarreal.
This term, the forward has played 23 La Liga games, scoring twice, and adding four assists.
Now, Foot Mercato reports that Everton and Wolves are interested in the Ivorian.
David Moyes‘ Toffees are set for a serious squad reshuffle this summer as the Scot looks to stamp his authority on the side after he returned to Merseyside for a second spell.
BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK
Currently, Everton‘s options out wide include Dwight McNeil, who can play on either flank, Iliman Ndiaye, and loanees Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom.
The Toffees are yet to make a decision to sign Harrison and Lindstrom, brought in from Leeds United and Napoli respectively, permanently.
As for Wolves, Vitor Pereira has a plethora of names to pick from to play in his two number 10 positions behind lone striker Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Talisman Matheus Cunha is the first name on the teamsheet, although his future is up in the air amid interest from Manchester United.
Marshall Munetsi often completes the attacking trident, although he is rivalled by Hwang Hee-Chan and Pablo Sarabia.
Goncalo Guedes and Carlos Forbs, natural wingers, have struggled for game time this term, while Jean-Ricner Bellegarde has also filled in further forward.
Pepe and Villarreal are currently on-course for a top-five finish in the Spanish top flight this year, which would see them qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2021/22.
They reached the semi-finals, but were beaten by Liverpool 5-2 on aggregate.
Previously, Unai Emery had masterminded their 2020/21 Europa League triumph, which included a penalty shoot-out victory over Manchester United in the final.
Incidentally, they defeated Arsenal in the last four, beating the Gunners 2-1 across two legs.