Pundit ‘wowed’ by Everton plan to sign the ‘new Willian’
Noel Whelan has told Everton they could sign “new Willian” amid links to Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 26-year-old has done little to impress since joining the Gunners for £72million in 2019.
French news outlet Jeunes Footeux (16th November) claim Everton and Newcastle United are keen on signing the winger on loan in January.
Mikel Arteta is reportedly keen to offload the Ivory Coast international after his struggles this season.
However, Whelan warned clubs like Everton against splashing out any sort of fee on the Arsenal forward.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “I don’t think anyone’s been set alight by the performances that Nicolas Pepe’s put in for Arsenal.
“To me, he seems like the new Willian. He’s come into the football club and you’re thinking wow, what a signing that is.
“Then all of a sudden you’ve nothing from him. We’ve seen glimpses from him, that’s it. Again, that has not been a great signing for Arsenal.
“I certainly think it’d be a risk to spend money on Nicolas Pepe, I really do. I don’t think it’s a signing that they should be looking for.
“Arsenal probably want to offload him because he’s not done what they expected when they spent that big money on him. I’m not sure whether that’s the right one.”
Willian left Arsenal this summer just a year after joining on a free transfer.
Meanwhile, Pepe still has three years left on his contract in north London.
He has played nine times for Arsenal this season, with five Premier League starts to his name.
In other news, Everton could be forced to sell Richarlison after a £35m reveal from Kieran Maguire.