According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, a prominent Arsenal player has reached an agreement for a short-term contract with Turkish club Trabzonspor.
The player in question, aged 28, had spent the previous season on loan at OGC Nice in Ligue 1 but returned to Arsenal earlier this summer.
However, it quickly became apparent that the Ivory Coast international was not part of Mikel Arteta’s plans for the 2023/24 season.
As a result, he is now on the verge of joining Trabzonspor, with a medical examination scheduled for Friday.
Romano confirmed this transfer development on social media, stating that Nicolas Pépé was set to move to Trabzonspor on a short-term contract until June 2024.
This move would lead to substantial savings for Arsenal, given that Pépé was reportedly earning £7.28 million annually at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal’s sporting director, Edu, has been keen to establish a sustainable salary structure at the club.
He emphasized that when a player with a significant salary isn’t performing and is 26 years old or older, it can become problematic. Edu expressed the importance of addressing such situations to maintain a harmonious dressing room and overall team performance.
In light of these considerations, the decision to part ways with Pépé appears to align with Edu’s strategy to avoid dressing room issues and create a more financially sustainable environment.
While it may involve some financial sacrifice, the club appears willing to take such steps to ensure the team’s cohesiveness and long-term success.
