Newcastle move 'would interest' £140k-a-week star at St James' Park

Newcastle target Nicolas Pepe would be interested in a switch to St James’ Park, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The £140,000 per-week star is out of favour at Arsenal and has been strongly linked with a summer exit having failed to live up to expectations following his club record £72m move from Lille in 2019.

Despite spending around £60m on securing the services of defensive-minded trio Nick Pope, Matt Targett and Sven Botman, Eddie Howe is yet to bring make any attacking reinforcements.

But that could soon change, with 90min claiming that Newcastle have been offered the opportunity to sign Pepe, whose lack of minutes last season have led to speculation surrounding his future.

Pepe might be the most expensive player in Arsenal’s history, but he simply hasn’t performed consistently enough to warrant a place in the side, with his form restricting him to just 681 top-flight minutes for the Gunners last season.

In 112 appearances throughout his time in England, the 27-year-old has still contributed to 48 goals in all competitions, but his league form has been a concern, which explains why he spent the majority of last season on the bench.

Therefore, Pepe is most likely going to have to seek pastures new to increase his game-time, and Jones reckons that a European-chasing Newcastle team could match his demands.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “I think that midtable clubs are interested in him, but I don’t think he’s interested in playing at that level of the Premier League, although Newcastle would interest him because they’re going to challenge for the top six.”

According to 90min, Newcastle have been offered two other high-profile wingers in Memphis Depay and Chelsea star Timo Werner, who are also facing uncertain seasons