Who is Pepe? Porto star scouted by Arsenal

Stuart Telford

• 16 Mar 2023 20:39 GMT
• 4 min read

Arsenal reportedly sent scouts to watch Porto winger Pepe in their goalless draw with Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday. What else is there to know about the Brazilian wide man?

The Gunners already have a Pepe on their books - Nicolas, who just so happens to be the club's €80 million record signing who is now out on loan with Nice - but his travails mean that they remain in the market from more strength in depth out wide.

Porto's Pepe was sent off against Inter, but that is unlikely to put Arsenal off a player who has put up impressive numbers this season, posting nine goal-involvements from 24 games in the Primeira Liga and completing an average of six progressive passes per game.

READ: NINE Chelsea signings this season more expensive than Trossard

Pepe is valued at €19 million by FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm, and he could prove a shrewd acquisition for Mikel Arteta and Co.

What position does Pepe play in?

Pepe broke through as a winger with Gremio but has increasingly been used as a wing-back by Sergio Conceicao at Porto this season. Able to play on either side of defence or attack, he would be able to plug more than one gap at the Emirates.

Arteta most likely sees the Brazilian as a solution at right-back, though, with Takehiro Tomiyasu struggling to impress this season and Ben White, the incumbent in the position, a centre-back by trade.

READ: Chelsea target €70m Porto star as alternative to Gordon

How good is Pepe?

Pepe has quick feet and a low centre of gravity, making him a nightmare for opposition markers to try and dispossess. He also has a knack for getting into the box to scored headers at the back post.

Capped by Brazil up to U23 level, Pepe is yet to break into the senior international set-up, but he has won trophies everywhere he heads been - four Campeonato Gauchos with Gremio as well as a domestic treble with Porto last season.

What clubs are interested in Pepe?

Chelsea were also reportedly tracking Pepe before Porto won the race for his signature in 2021, paying Gremio €15m for his services. Arsenal appear to be at the front of the queue now, though.

When does Pepe's contract expire?

Pepe's current contract at the Estadio do Dragao runs until 30 June 2027.

How old is Pepe?

Born on 24 February 1997, Pepe is 26 at the time of writing.

What is Pepe's Instagram?

Pepe's Instagram handle can be found under the handle @pepe. He has 551k followers as of March 2023.