Nicolas Pepe: Agbonlahor reveals the ‘only option’ for Arsenal after £72m reveal
Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed the “only option” for Arsenal is to allow club-record signing Nicolas Pepe to depart the club on loan.
The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the Gunners will have to pay some of his wage in order to facilitate an exit.
As quoted by the Daily Mail (29 March), Pepe refused to be drawn on a potential Arsenal exit – but conceded he is “frustrated” with his lack of playing time under Mikel Arteta.
The Ivory Coast international has made just five Premier League starts this season – scoring once.
Pepe is out of contract in 2024.
Agbonlahor claimed the winger has the potential to be a “real player”.
However, he suggested no club would be willing to pay even £30million for his services this summer.
“He’ll be very difficult to move on – I can’t see him leaving Arsenal,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“The only option for Arsenal is to let him leave on loan. I can’t see any clubs even paying £30million for Pepe.
“He’s just not been consistent enough. But there is a real player in there – he just hasn’t shown it.
“It’s certainly a very sticky situation for Arsenal. Do they keep him around or let him go out on loan and perhaps pay some of those wages?”
Pepe joined Arsenal from Lille for a reported club-record £72million fee in 2019.
He has netted 27 goals in 107 games for the Gunners – 16 of which have come in the Premier League.
In other news, pundit tips Arteta to axe Arsenal star for Crystal Palace clash.