Of the senior players expected to leave Arsenal at some point during the summer transfer window, it can be argued that the toughest task facing Edu Gaspar is getting a fee for Nicolas Pepe.
With Pablo Mari's £5.9 million permanent move to Monza in place and Granit Xhaka in advanced talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a £13m switch, the Gunners' sporting director has already taken steps towards potentially making at least £100m through player sales.
That aforementioned figure does become somewhat of a realistic target when factoring in that Folarin Balogun and Kieran Tierney have both been tipped to leave this summer in search of regular first-team football next season, while Thomas Partey is said to be attracting interest from Juventus as well as a host of clubs in Saudi Arabia.
In an ideal world, Arsenal would also be compensated for Pepe's expected departure. But after being sidelined with a knee injury for large parts during the second half of the season just gone, his Nice loan spell wasn't made permanent and it's difficult to see another team willing to pay a transfer fee to acquire his services.
As a result, football.london understands that plans have been made for the termination of his contract - which expires next summer - if required as the Ivorian is no longer a part of Mikel Arteta's plans after being phased out of the first-team squad towards the end of the 2021/22 season.
Having said that, some Gunners supporters think there's a scenario - albeit an unlikely one - where Pepe is sold and the club don't take too much of a hit on the £72m they paid Ligue 1 outfit Lille in the summer of 2019 to make the winger their record signing.
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Amid reports that Everton are considering a move to bring former Arsenal head of football Raul Sanllehi to the club to oversee a squad rebuild following a takeover, judging by some responses on Twitter, the Spaniard's first move - if appointed - should be to sign Pepe.
"Pepe to Everton for £72m confirmed," joked @GoonerSpark2012, @OsmanZtheGooner said: "Don Raul going to take Pepe to Everton for £50m", @ArsenalAnoop said: "We can now sell Pepe to Everton" and @chan24Afc had a more ambitious proposal by tweeting: "Me dragging Pepe to Everton for £60m. Here we go!"
Meanwhile, @Fadhli_Rahman said: "Pepe to Everton let's goo", @AFCPeggz said: "Welcome to Everton Nicolas Pepe", @ScoutedSxv said: "I have long been of the opinion that Nicolas Pepe would be a perfect fit for Everton" and @gunner_thoughts had the following question: "Errr @Everton can I introduce you to a man named Nicolas Pepe?"
Given the Toffees' financial situation, it's wishful thinking on these Arsenal supporters' behalf for them to be in a position to spend £50m on Pepe regardless of whether or not Sanllehi makes a surprise return to England. Therefore, the search for a suitor for the 28-year-old this summer will continue.
Who would you keep or sell at Arsenal this summer?
