A very interesting proposition was raised recently by former Leeds striker Noel Whelan. When talking about Arsenal attacker Nicolas Pepe, he suggested the player could be a decent fit at Newcastle United.
Whelan prefaced his suggestion by admitting the 26-year-old has failed to live up to his massive fee at The Emirates. However, a loan move with an option to buy could suit all involved parties.
Here is what Whelan told Football Insider about the Ivorian a couple of days:
“He’s been a massive failure – that’s for sure.
“When you consider the money they paid for him, he’s been very average.
“It’s a really bad bit of business from Arsenal. If they can get £25million for him, they need to be taking it – even if it’s a massive loss.
“Teams will be reluctant to pay that sort of fee for an inconsistent player like Pepe, though. It may well be a loan-to-buy deal.
“He’s really not contributed enough. Whether the Premier League is too tough for him, I don’t know – we know he came from France, which is a far easier league.
“A loan move may be something that Newcastle might fancy. These are the sort of players they will be targeting. He could turn his career around and end up being that big-ticket player. But right now, it’s a gamble.”
Newcastle were interested in Pepe when he was with Anger back in 2017. He joined Lille that summer before his £72m move to Arsenal two years later. A transfer that just hasn’t clicked for whatever reason.
Recent reports have claimed that Arsenal will cut their losses on Pepe and accept a fee of around £25m. That would be a dramatic loss and one they may even have difficulty finding takers for.
Whelan’s notion of an initial loan may be the best avenue. Pepe could fill a need for Newcastle on the right-wing despite his tepid form with The Gunners. He has a decent scoring record of 16 goals in 76 Premier League appearances, only 48 of which were starts.
After scoring 16 goals in all competitions last season, he has not featured much for Mikel Arteta this term. He has only 5 Premier League starts and his lack of opportunities has been a source of frustration.
Over the latest international break, Pepe expressed his disappointment with how this season has unfolded. However, he gave a mature response when asked about his lack of starts stating:
“I am focused on how well we do until the end of the season and the club’s target, which is getting into the Champions League. Then we will see what happens.
“When a team is winning it is hard for a coach to make changes.
“Mikel Arteta has explained that to me and the coach knows what I think and how hard I’m working.
“It is also about communication. Sometimes it’s not easy to communicate with the language barrier. It has been a tough season for me.
“Of course, it is frustrating not to play. No player enjoys not playing but I have to respect the coach’s decision and the team is doing well at the moment.”
While this seems a long shot, it will be interesting to see if Pepe leaves Arsenal this summer and where he ends up. A loan with an option to buy may not be the worst idea in the world though he may not fit Newcastle’s profile this summer.
135 comments so far
Wor B
Apr 12, 2022 at 6:29 PM
Comment #1Ear ear
Sparky
Apr 12, 2022 at 6:30 PM
Comment #2blew my boom 5!
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Apr 12, 2022 at 6:32 PM
Comment #3£60M plus sales so 3 -4 players
CLINT FLICK
Apr 12, 2022 at 6:32 PM
Comment #4Uh oh!
The oress trying to off load other teams percieved duds onto us…for money!
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Apr 12, 2022 at 6:33 PM
Comment #5WorB has a good slide tackle
The Prince's Mate
Apr 12, 2022 at 6:33 PM
Comment #6WorB, stop luggin that story around
Raj of Hailsley
Apr 12, 2022 at 6:35 PM
Comment #7Noticed when reading back, a poster named magicbus. Seems like he posted but as per his post disappeared into the ether when posting for the first time. Probably thinks what’s the point, nobody sees my posts. I think what admin should do when vetting first time posters is at least then put their post at the front of the queue once it’s been approved.
Wor B
Apr 12, 2022 at 6:35 PM
Comment #8Angers
Bizarrely a very serine city.
Wor B
Apr 12, 2022 at 6:36 PM
Comment #9TPM
I see what you did there.
🙂
SirRhosis
Apr 12, 2022 at 6:40 PM
Comment #10I hate these bloody buses. How am I expected to catch one with a blue badge?
lochinvar
Apr 12, 2022 at 6:49 PM
Comment #11Just hope they’re not close with anyone at the EPL or the former top six clubs to avoid any unpleasantness.
Former Fifa president Sepp Blatter and former Uefa president Michel Platini will go on trial in Switzerland in June to face corruption charges.
Swiss prosecutors say Blatter unlawfully arranged a transfer of 2m Swiss francs (£1.6m) to Platini in 2011.
The Mighty Quinn
Apr 12, 2022 at 6:50 PM
Comment #12So he’s been average and a waste of money but yeah we should take him on loan with a view to a permanent. WTF.
SirRhosis
Apr 12, 2022 at 6:52 PM
Comment #13Loch, why would you hope that they are not linked to any of the former top six? Let them get their comeuppance is what I say
IrishRob
Apr 12, 2022 at 6:55 PM
Comment #14Why would people listen to Luke Edwards, we were going to spend over £60M extra on Ekitike and Botman along with our other signings that we got. So by that reckoning we wouldn’t be spending any money in the Summer if they had chosen to sign.
Now we all know that we would never be going into the summer with no budget if we had to have signed both of them ontop of the ones we got.
The lad is just making crap up to worry us because behind his facade he really doesn’t like any of us one bit, despite what he says to the contrary from time to time.
We will be spending far far more than £60M plus player sales. I guarantee it.
#FukLuke
CLINT FLICK
Apr 12, 2022 at 6:56 PM
Comment #15Quinny
I know, pathetic, aren’t they?
Raj of Hailsley
Apr 12, 2022 at 7:00 PM
Comment #16Blatter and Platini should both have their mouths filled with molten gold for the deaths they’ve caused in Qatar and the kudos they gave to Putin.
SirRhosis
Apr 12, 2022 at 7:01 PM
Comment #17Quiet blog so far tonight?
CLINT FLICK
Apr 12, 2022 at 7:01 PM
Comment #18Oh!
…and sorry for the off subject slant…
But…
…do one you lying tory scum the johnson and fishy suknacker!
First ‘so called’ pm in history busted while in power! While people died alone!
Resign!
Unconscionable!
Sorry, as you were!
🙁
SirRhosis
Apr 12, 2022 at 7:02 PM
Comment #19Speaking of which……. 🙂
SirRhosis
Apr 12, 2022 at 7:04 PM
Comment #20Refuse to do politics Clint. Too poisonous. Just like Ashley 🙂
SirRhosis
Apr 12, 2022 at 7:10 PM
Comment #21Anyway, I blame Regan for everything…… just bcos I think he may be on holiday
The Mighty Quinn
Apr 12, 2022 at 7:11 PM
Comment #22Clinty they’re a set of WUM’s, I can’t believe they actually think this stuff up in their head and then proceed to actually say it.
Wor B
Apr 12, 2022 at 7:14 PM
Comment #23Regan’s on holiday?
I’m supposed to be doing his bins!
😳
CLINT FLICK
Apr 12, 2022 at 7:16 PM
Comment #24Sir R
Sorry mate.
I know, just had to get it off me chest.
Yea, probably not the place.
Please accept my sincere apologies.
CLINT FLICK
Apr 12, 2022 at 7:17 PM
Comment #25Quinny
Nowt better to do, i guess?
It’s gonba be open season on us!
Sigh!
clinath@ed
Apr 12, 2022 at 7:22 PM
Comment #26NO
Ego too big on the pitch, waste of talent.
CLINT FLICK
Apr 12, 2022 at 7:25 PM
Comment #27Eddie checks players out as people too, not just ability.
Fank thuck!
Essex Geordie Bill
Apr 12, 2022 at 7:27 PM
Comment #28wouldn’t surprise me to see us spending £60m on one player and quite a few £s on several more!
Sparky
Apr 12, 2022 at 7:33 PM
Comment #29Me budget is £120 million nett of sales
Yours sincerely
Lord Scattercash
Darnik
Apr 12, 2022 at 7:33 PM
Comment #30That’s another thing I like about Eddie knows Howe, he wants us to sign players with the right character which will help us to avoid some of the prima dona types, if we want to move up we need team players with ability, that way we have a far better chance of success
Romford mag
Apr 12, 2022 at 7:34 PM
Comment #31Team players !
Darnik
Apr 12, 2022 at 7:35 PM
Comment #32Sparky
I think you might be in the ball park there mate £120m + player sales
Sparky
Apr 12, 2022 at 7:38 PM
Comment #335 players with an average price of 35 million, less who we sell
Lord Scattercash in the know!
Lord Michael Fab
Apr 12, 2022 at 7:38 PM
Comment #34Hi Guys first time poster, I love Newcastle United FC they are the bomb.
Sparky
Apr 12, 2022 at 7:41 PM
Comment #35Background checks on the shortlist already carried out…geezer ex Liverpool already done that!
All we have to do now is agree the price!
Simples!
CLINT FLICK
Apr 12, 2022 at 7:42 PM
Comment #36Darnik
He’s said as much in interviews…if you piece them all together.
Eddie ‘knows’ Howe!
😀
The man with a plan!
clinath@ed
Apr 12, 2022 at 7:42 PM
Comment #37I think £120m + is much more realistic, though quality over quantity.
I accept taking our time to grow, but we must realise we have a lot of caching up to do, and those above us will be spending too.
Lord Michael Fab
Apr 12, 2022 at 7:44 PM
Comment #38Ew Dear Lord oh bugger, one seems to be having some teething problems on ones laptop. I do not seem to see my post, it seems to have disappeared into the nether. Ew well I give it a damn good shot.
Never mind I shall go back to observing.
coming home
Apr 12, 2022 at 7:44 PM
Comment #39Here’s a question
Would anyone on here swap Bruno for KDB or pogba?
Mund
Apr 12, 2022 at 7:46 PM
Comment #40Enough to give any CB nightmares!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FQKivLZXoAcy7f1?format=jpg&name=900×900