Arsenal transfer news: The latest media briefing from the Gunners with reaction to stories on Elye Wahi and Nicolas Pepe.
Welcome to the football.london transfer briefing. To help you keep on top of all things Arsenal going on in the market we've got the latest noises coming from social media, journalists and so-called ITKs, rounding up what's what in the world of the Gunners.
Wahi boost
Wahi scored 19 times in 33 games last season with six assists and hammered four past Lyon in the same game, establishing himself as one of the best young talents around. The 20-year-old, who is reportedly available for £28million ($36million) is said to be in talks with a move to Chelsea but has been put off by the chances of being loaned out to fellow BlueCo owned side, Strasbourg.
football.london says: There's not too much about this move that makes much sense for Arsenal. Not only is the frontline already completely stacked with Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah, Leandro Trossard, Folarin Balogun and Gabriel Martinelli all featuring in the centre forward role on occasion, they really need to start selling.
The signings of Havertz, Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber have not come cheaply. Although Champions League football does give financial leeway, there are simply too many choices and adding Wahi to that only bloats things more. Realistically at least one of Nketiah or Balogun will have to leave this summer as it is, and it doesn't look like it's going to be the former.
Therefore, if the USMNT and Stade de Reims prodigy from last season is moved on by Arsenal they would be replacing one impressive 20-something that has looked good in France with another one in Wahi. At a net profit it, may look good on the books. But logistically there is little benefit.
Arsenal have a squad of talented young players as it is. Just because another comes around, doesn't mean that the Gunners need to sign them.
Pepe collapse
According to CBS, the Ivorian winger is no longer a target and the unnamed club have turned to other options instead. It has also been suggested by the Athletic that Arsenal could yet terminate his contract, which expires in 2024, in order to bring an end to his four-year nightmare stay.
Having joined from Lille in 2019 for £72million ($92million), a fee that was the most paid for a player by the Gunners until Declan Rice was signed earlier this window, Pepe spent last season back in France on a loan to Nice. He scored just 27 times in 112 games in north London, assisting 21, and failed to live up to the expectation and hype.
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