Newcastle transfer news: Arsenal’s Nicolas Pepe named as possible Toon target

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Nicolas Pepe is reportedly a potential target for Newcastle United this summer.

That’s according to Give Me Sport’s Dean Jones, who claims the Arsenal forward is on the Magpies’ list of Moussa Diaby alternatives.

Dan Ashworth is currently looking to sign a new right winger, as Eddie Howe strives to add more goals to his side.

That’s why attacking reinforcements are currently being targeted. However, it is proving easier said than done.

Newcastle could target Nicolas Pepe

Unless there is a dramatic change of events, Diaby will not be joining Newcastle. He’s too expensive, and he has stated his desire to stay at Bayer Leverkusen.

One alternative is Jack Harrison, but he is another player who is proving difficult to land. Newcastle only want to pay £25million, but Leeds value him at £35million. They don’t want to sell the 25-year-old, having already lost two key players this summer.

Newcastle are now looking further down their list, and Give Me Sport have named a few other options. The first is Ismaila Sarr, who has been linked with Newcastle in the past. The second is Burnley’s Dwight McNeil, who could cost £15million.

And third is Pepe. Give Me Sport’s Dean Jones states that the Arsenal ace is seen as attainable and someone who could add something to our attack.

Pepe move would be a shock

It would be a real surprise if Newcastle made a move for Pepe. He’s hardly set the world alight since his move to the Emirates. He wasn’t cheap either, costing Arsenal £72million.

To say he hasn’t lived up to that fee would be nothing short of an understatement. Pepe has massively underdelivered, despite showing the odd flash of brilliance.

Former Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker highly rates the Ivory Coast international, stating that he has ‘major potential‘. That’s high praise, but also an odd thing to say about a man who is 27-years-old.

He’s an incredibly quick player with great dribbling ability, but he simply hasn’t delivered in an Arsenal shirt. Perhaps he’s been weighed down by the price tag, but a move to Newcastle hardly feels likely given his North London failures.

Could Howe get a tune out of him? Stranger things have happened. Just look at Joelinton’s transformation…