Arsenal are reportedly looking for potential buyers for their record signing, Nicolas Pepe who they will happily sell for a massive loss.

The 28-year-old has been unable to live up to expectations since his transfer from Lille in 2019 and could soon see an end to his Arsenal journey.

Nice's new recruit Ivorian forward Nicolas Pepe is presented during the UEFA Conference League play-off second leg football match between OGC Nice and Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC at the Allianz Riviera stadium in Nice on August 25, 2022. - Nice's new recrue Pepe (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP) (Photo by VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images)
Nice’s new recruit Ivorian forward Nicolas Pepe is presented during the UEFA Conference League play-off second leg football match between OGC Nice and Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC at the Allianz Riviera stadium in Nice on August 25, 2022. – Nice’s new recrue Pepe (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP) (Photo by VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images)
  • Arsenal are searching for potential buyers for club-record signing Nicolas Pepe, who has struggled to make a significant impact at the Emirates since joining in 2019.
  • Pepe, after spending a loan period at Nice, is amongst the high earners at Arsenal. With only a year left on his contract, the club hopes to generate a transfer fee rather than terminate the contract.
  • The 28-year-old winger is part of a dwindling group of first-team players who were signed by Arsenal before Mikel Arteta’s appointment in December 2019, with several of these players expected to depart the club this summer.

The search for Nicolas Pepe buyers

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)

With expectations unmet and high earning contracts becoming a burden, Arsenal are actively seeking buyers for Nicolas Pepe.

The Ivorian winger, who was once the club’s record signing, has failed to make a lasting impact at the Emirates Stadium since his £72 million move from Lille in 2019.

Pepe’s journey from record signing to potential exit

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Junior Firpo of Leeds United marks Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leeds United at Emirates Stadium on May 08, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 08: Junior Firpo of Leeds United marks Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leeds United at Emirates Stadium on May 08, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Having spent the 2022/23 campaign on loan at Nice, Pepe is now in the final year of his contract with Arsenal.

The club remains hopeful that potential buyers will emerge in the coming weeks.

Despite the possibility of terminating his contract at the end of the summer transfer window, Arsenal would prefer to generate a transfer fee, even if it is a small one.

End of Pepe’s journey with Nice

Pepe played 28 matches and scored eight goals during his loan spell at the French club Nice.

However, the club has announced that they will not pursue a permanent move for him, marking an end to Pepe’s adventure in Nice.

Arteta’s new plans for the squad

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC: Declan Rice, Captain of West Ham United lifts the UEFA Europa Conference League trophy after the team's victory over ACF Fiorentina on June 07, 2023. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC: Declan Rice, Captain of West Ham United lifts the UEFA Europa Conference League trophy after the team’s victory over ACF Fiorentina on June 07, 2023. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

With West Ham United’s Declan Rice set to become Arsenal’s most expensive player, Arteta and sporting director Edu are charting a new course for the squad.

Their plans also include strengthening their midfield by exploring bids for Brighton’s Moises Caicedo and improving their defence.