Besiktas 'hoping to land Arsenal flop Pepe on a free transfe'

Turkish Super Lig side Besiktas are interested in signing Arsenal's Nicolas Pepe, according to reports.

The 28-year-old has endured a pretty miserable time at the Emirates since arriving from Lille in 2019 for a then club-record £72m fee.

Pepe failed to impress in three seasons at the club before spending last season on loan back in France with Nice where he netted six times in 19 Ligue 1 games.

According to various outlets including the transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the Ivorian international is a target for the Turkish giants who will hold talks to 'discuss the structure of a potential deal'.

Pepe has one year left on his contract with Arsenal and the Gunners will be hoping for at least a small fee to recoup some of their losses, but Besiktas are reportedly hopeful that his contract will be cancelled and be available on a free transfer.

The winger has not been involved in Arsenal's pre-season trip to the US, although boss Mikel Arteta was quick to confirm his omission was solely down to injury.

'At the moment he is recovering from an injury which is why he’s not here,' Arteta told reporters ahead of their 2-0 win against rivals Man United last month.

‘He had a spell on loan and obviously we wanted to get much more than we got from that loan spell.

‘We have to see when we come back, understand what the plans are and make the right decision for him.’