Arsenal exit ‘agreed’ with ‘private plane’ planned as return to Italy for Gunners midfielder is touted

Lewis Oldham 07 Sep 2023 3:33 PM

Arsenal transfer — Jorginho in action for Arsenal.

Ivory Coast international Nicolas Pepe has reportedly ‘agreed’ to leave Premier League giants Arsenal and sign for Turkish side Trabzonspor.

The 28-year-old joined Arsenal in 2019 from Ligue Un side Lille for a fee in the region of £72m.

Pepe impressed for Arsenal during the 2020/21 campaign as he scored 16 goals across all competitions but he has since slipped down the pecking order under Mikel Arteta.

The winger spent last season back on loan at OGC Nice and it has been heavily reported throughout this summer that he is likely to leave Arsenal either on loan again or on a permanent basis.

Pepe did not move on before the English transfer window closed but he is not being linked with Turkish sides. Their transfer window remains open until September 15.

It was claimed earlier this week that Pepe is set to sign for Super Lig giants Besiktas but these reports have since been refuted by the club.

Journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu has now claimed that Pepe has ‘reached an agreement with Tranzonspor’. It is indicated that ‘a private plane will be sent to London’ for him ‘as soon as he terminates his contract with Arsenal’.

Regarding Pepe, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has said: “Pepe, not convinced by Saudi approaches — deal not happening, his priority is now to join Trabzonspor.

“Negotiations to follow in order to reach an agreement, as @footmercato called; he’s completely out of Arsenal project. #AFC prepared to give the green light.”

Jorginho is another player who has been linked with a move away from Arsenal of late. The experienced midfielder joined the Gunners from Chelsea for a fee of around £12m during the winter transfer window earlier this year.

The Italy international is yet to start in the Premier League this season but he has made three substitute appearances.

The former Napoli star has been linked with a move elsewhere and while his agent – Joao Santos – believes he’s “focused” on Arsenal, he has hinted that he would be open to a return to Serie A.

“This year he stays at Arsenal, then we can’t know what will happen next season,” Santos told Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli.

“For now he is focused on playing two very important competitions such as the Premier and Champions League with the Gunners.

“Italy is always in our hearts, never say never. If there is an Italian team that needs Jorginho and his characteristics we will see what will happen.

“A possible future for Juve? In modern football, you can’t say he will be playing for one team or another. We can talk to all the teams looking for a player with his characteristics.”

Arsenal Jorginho