5 potential suitors for Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe

5. Lyon

A final way to resolve Pepe’s transfer conundrum could involve a team further inland, where another French club in the form of Lyon have been mentioned as a prospective buyer.

Just like Sampaoli’s penchant for an exciting brand of football, Les Gones also strive to play on the front foot and have become one of the hardest pressing sides in Europe under Peter Bosz, who is credited with nurturing some of the sport’s brightest talents such as Kai Havertz, Jadon Sancho and Matthijs de Ligt.

To realise this thrilling offensive vision, Bosz sets his side up to execute a passing-based style and retain possession, while instructing two roaming number 8s to advance with attacking intent and create a variety of options both around and inside the box.

The former Ajax boss’ tactical tastes ask an awful lot of the forwards, and perhaps the onus on them as the first line of defence to chase down ball carriers and shadow mark to neutralise attacks would be too demanding for Pepe, who is not thought to be the hardest trainer at London Colney.

However, he was required to track back and help out defensively during his time at Lille and so maybe a bit of work in that respect – alongside potentially rich attacking rewards – means Lyon will still appeal. Although, a lack of European football probably leaves them with an outside chance of completing a move.

Suitability Rating: 6/10