How Amad Diallo loan could shatter Arsenal's hopes of axing Pepe
Cameron Smith
- 19 Aug 2022 10:28 CDT
- 3 min read
Manchester United's desire to loan out young forward Amad Diallo could hinder Arsenal's chances of offloading Nicolas Pepe this summer.
Pepe, 27, joined Arsenal for a club-record €80 million back in 2019, but after three years of inconsistent performances, the Gunners want to sell the Ivorian before Deadline Day.
With the emergence of Bukayo Saka as Mikel Arteta's preferred option on the right wing, combined with the summer arrivals of Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira and Marquinhos, all of whom operate in the front four, Pepe has been deemed surplus to requirements.
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Arsenal are therefore keen to get him off their books, with his salary eating a fair chunk into their weekly wage bill.
However, with his form since joining the Gunners from Lille not particularly impressive, interest has been limited. But, Arsenal may have been given a lifeline by interest from Nice, who are exploring the possibility of bringing Pepe back to Ligue 1.
The French side's interest in Pepe has been confirmed by multiple sources, including RMC Sport and The Athletic. The former has reported that Pepe is Nice's priority this summer, while the latter has revealed that the two clubs are in talks over a deal.
Could Man Utd's desire to loan Amad Diallo play a role?
Now, while Pepe is reportedly Nice's priority, the Ligue 1 club are also interested in signing Man Utd's Diallo on loan.
The Red Devils sent the teenager to spend the second-half of last campaign on loan at Scottish side Rangers, where he made 13 appearances and scored three goals.
It now seems as though another loan move is the preferred option for Diallo, with the Ivorian not featuring in new head coach Erik ten Hag's immediate plans for the 2022-23 Premier League season.
Nice are monitoring his situation, and according to RMC Sport have spoken to the player and his representatives about a move. Diallo is being considered as an alternative to Pepe, if Nice can't strike a deal with Arsenal for the former Lille man.
As for Pepe's future, Arsenal boss Arteta has remained tight-lipped, revealing in his pre-Bournemouth press conference: "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.
"Until the end of the window it’s possible that anything can happen with any player."
While it seems as though Nice would like to add Pepe to their ranks, Diallo remains an option and they don't have the funds to sign both this summer, meaning it's one or the other.
