A loan deal with some sort of option to buy could be the most likely scenario for Nicolas Pepe this summer, as he’s expected to leave Arsenal.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal during the Carabao Cup Round-of-16 match between Arsenal and Leeds United at Emirates Stadium on October 26, 2021. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal during the Carabao Cup Round-of-16 match between Arsenal and Leeds United at Emirates Stadium on October 26, 2021. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Goal report that the expectation is that Nicolas Pepe will leave Arsenal this summer, but finding a club willing to pay his £150,000-a-week wages as well as a significant transfer fee will be difficult.

The Gunners are working on it, and Pepe switched agents ahead of the summer to try and move things along.

For now, the most likely outcome is reportedly a loan deal with an option to buy.

Mark Mann-Bryans recently wrote that Arsenal are openly looking for buyers for Pepe this summer.

Spain is reportedly a possible destination for the winger, and Mann-Bryans also suggested a loan was the most likely option.

WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal reacts during the Carabao Cup Second Round between West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal at The Hawthorns on August 25, 2021 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal reacts during the Carabao Cup Second Round between West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal at The Hawthorns on August 25, 2021. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Arsenal were widely reported to be pursuing a deal for Leeds United’s Raphinha up until this week, but Chelsea and Barcelona have made major steps forward to seemingly push the Gunners out of the race.

When the Raphinha deal was a strong possibility, loaning or selling Pepe seemed like a necessity.

But you’d think it would be a different story if Arsenal don’t make a forward signing, as they’ll need someone to compete and rotate with Bukayo Saka.

So the fact that Arsenal are still actively pursuing a sale for Pepe suggests they still plan to bring someone in this summer, even if it’s not Raphinha.