Leicester City have reportedly registered an interest in Nicolas Pepe, which could help Arsenal land a major transfer of their own.
Pepe has struggled for minutes at Arsenal of late. In fact, he made just eight starts in all competitions all of last season.
This season, he has yet to hit the pitch. In fact, Bukayo Saka is now the preferred player to fill the right-wing role for the Gunners.
As such, Pepe may be better served by a move from the Emirates. French side Nice are reportedly keen to bring him in on a loan deal.
However, Leicester are now also interested in the Ivorian, according to French outlet Media Foot.
The Foxes only have two wingers in their squad – Marc Albrighton and Harvey Barnes. As such, they seem to want to swell their ranks.
The report does not mention whether they want a loan, as Nice do, or a permanent transfer.
The latter would play into Arsenal’s hands, amid their pursuit of Leicester star Youri Tielemans.
He has been a top target for the Gunners, and they have been chasing him for much of the summer. It seems the Belgian also wants to make the move to North London.
Indeed, Leicester’s move for Pepe could allow Arsenal an easier deal for Tielemans. They may be able to negotiate a lower rate, or even an exchange, in part.
Arsenal winners if Nicolas Pepe swap happens
If there was some sort of swap deal, Arsenal would emerge as winners. In fact, they’ve been following Tielemans for months, and for good reason.
The midfielder has been one of Leicester’s most important assets in recent seasons. A midfield duo of him and Martin Odegaard would be fantastic, who could certainly outclass most midfields in the league.
Pepe, on the other hand, has not been at his best during his time at Arsenal. He has managed to find the net just 27 times in over 100 appearances for the Gunners.
He clearly has more to offer, as he contributed 33 goals in his last season in Ligue 1, with Lille. That said, a move to the other side could take it out again.
However, Arsenal have not been a success for him, and it would be better to offload him and bring in Tielemans.