Nicolas Pepe leaving Arsenal could possibly be a lift for present membership captain Martin Odegaard. The former report signing is ready to go by means of the exit door and get his hefty wage off the Gunners' wage invoice.

Pepe has been not noted within the chilly by Mikel Arteta since he returned from his mortgage spell at Nice final season. He was unable to earn a everlasting transfer to the French facet after an underwhelming spell in Ligue 1.

He has skilled away from the remainder of the Arsenal first-team squad since returning to London Colney. Arsenal have been unable to discover a membership prepared to purchase Pepe earlier than nearly all of switch home windows in Europe's main leagues shut final week.

However, some international locations are nonetheless in a position to make signings. Turkish facet Besiktas are interested in Pepe and French outlet L'Equipe claimed on Monday that he was present process a medical forward of finishing a transfer.

Pepe has additionally been linked with the Saudi Pro League forward of its window shutting on Thursday. Once he does go away, it could possibly be good news for Odegaard.

Pepe is likely one of the increased earners at Arsenal on round £140,000 every week. He has entered the ultimate yr of that contract and the Gunners have held discussions about probably terminating it early.

Getting Pepe's wage off the books will release funds for different gamers. According to Spotrac, Odegaard is just the Tenth-best-paid participant within the Arsenal squad.

The Norwegian is alleged to earn £115,000 every week, lower than half of the likes of Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Declan Rice. Odegaard hasn't signed a brand new contract since he joined Arsenal on a everlasting foundation in the summertime of 2021.

But Fabrizio Romano claimed final month that talks had been opened a couple of new deal and that it was set to be a precedence for the membership for the rest of 2023. Odegaard's representatives will certainly be demanding wages nearer to the best earners on the membership and Pepe's departure will give Arsenal room to fulfil their request.

Odegaard has constructed a repute as one of many most interesting attacking midfielders within the Premier League because the begin of final season. The 24-year-old has 17 objectives in 41 top-flight appearances in that point, additionally registering seven assists.

His present contract expires in the summertime of 2025. Arsenal have the choice to increase it by an extra yr however wish to tie him down on an extended deal in addition to reward him for his performances.