3 crucial outgoings to complete after spending spree

3. Nicolas Pepe

Among possible outgoings, Nicolas Pepe’s name is the first to spring to mind. Consistently inconsistent, the winger looks to be on his way out. Off the back of an impressive end to the 2020/21 season, the winger barely played last term.

The blame for Pepe’s lack of minutes and subsequent drop in value cannot be placed on any one person’s shoulders. Arteta has struggled to include all the members of his squad and keep them on board even when they aren’t being picked. Bukayo Saka has been world-class in Pepe’s preferred position, making the difficult task of changing Arteta’s mind even more so. Lastly, Pepe himself has not shown the quality needed from a £72m signing.

In addition to the aforementioned issues, Arsenal’s targeting of Raphinha is not likely to serve as a show of confidence in the player. If the Brazilian were to come into the club while Pepe is there, the ex-Lille man would effectively be third choice. That is not an ideal situation for either player or the club.

A transfer away makes even more sense in the context of Raphinha’s own rumoured transfer fee, with Leeds under no pressure to sell at a bargain price. Under no illusions that they could recoup anywhere near his initial transfer fee, the club would do well to get anything above £15m.

Incomings during the transfer window will always catch the eye and make headlines. The importance of crucial outgoings, however, cannot be overstated, especially to a rebuilding club.