Nicolas Pepe leaves Arsenal as Fabrizio Romano reveals surprise contract length at new club
Nicolas Pepe is officially joining Trabzonspor on a permanent basis from Arsenal, with Fabrizio Romano revealing the finer details of the operation.
Trabzonspor recently emerged as the frontrunners to sign Pepe after he was also linked with fellow Turkish side Besiktas. The Super Lig transfer window remains open until September 15, after all.
Pepe was into the final year of his contract with Arsenal but had no place in Mikel Arteta’s plans after spending last season on loan at Nice. Therefore, the Gunners have been getting ready to finally rid themselves of their former record signing.
It is now confirmed that Trabzonspor will be his next takers and according to Romano, who has revealed his medical will be finalised on Friday, the deal will definitely be a permanent one and not another loan. That said, Pepe’s contract in Turkey will only last for a year – in other words, up to the same date his Arsenal deal would have expired.
Therefore, Pepe might have to find a new club again ahead of the 2024-25 season. The difference, though, is that it will no longer require Arsenal’s input either way.
In a clip posted on Trabzonspor’s social media channels ahead of his arrival, Pepe has said: “I came here to become a champion and achieve success.”
Pepe will be leaving Arsenal after 27 goals for the club, but many would argue he fell below expectations after his arrival from Lille in 2019. Indeed, Arsenal will be making a massive loss on the money they invested.
The BBC has even claimed Pepe’s exit is a free transfer, although other sources such as Get French Football News have suggested they have received a payment in the region of £3million.
At the age of 28, Pepe is now ready to embark on a new challenge, though there will be no European football to participate in during his spell with Trabzonspor, who have begun the new Super Lig season with two wins and two losses.
In attack, Pepe will compete for a place with the likes of Trezeguet (formerly of Aston Villa) and Mislav Orsic (most recently of Southampton, but currently injured).
