Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta REFUSES to rule out transfer move for out-of-favour winger Nicolas Pepe
MIKEL ARTETA admits it’s ‘possible’ Nice target Nicolas Pepe could leave Arsenal this month.
Gunners’ boss Arteta hinted at movement from his ‘big squad’ before the transfer window shuts on September 1.
And Pepe’s agent was spotted at ambitious French club Nice over the weekend.
The £72million record buy from Lille is thought to be frustrated after falling down the list of wide options at the Emirates.
Arteta is also said to be pondering a huge bid for Wolves winger Pedro Neto.
And when asked about Ivorian ace Pepe, the Spaniard said: “Until the end of the window it’s possible that anything can happen with any player.
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“What we can communicate we always do when it’s the right moment.
“We discussed that we have a big squad and we’ve made some decisions and allowed some players to leave.”
Nice – owned by British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe – have already brought in ex-Arsenal and Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey, plus Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel
It’s also claimed the Ligue 1 big-spenders are looking at former Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani and Blackburn hitman Ben Brereton-Diaz.
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Meanwhile, Arteta revealed the Gunners are “addressing” whether versatile star Ainsley Maitland-Niles should be loaned out.
Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin is understood to be keen on joining either Barcelona or boyhood club Real Betis.
And quizzed if Bellerin’s circumstances had changed, Arteta replied: “Not at the moment, no update, and it’s like the other situations at the moment.”