Nicolas Pepe posts video of himself working out ahead of expected Arsenal departure

Arsenal forward Nicolas Pepe has been keeping himself fit ahead of an expected summer transfer.

The Ivory Coast international is out of favour at the North London club and is set to leave after his loan spell at OGC Nice last term.

Pepe is not in manager Mikel Arteta’s plans and has not returned to the club since leaving on loan last summer.

Arsenal could end up terminating the contract of the 28-year-old if no buyers are found for him this summer, with just 12 months left on his deal.

Pepe was linked with a move to Saudi Arabia a few weeks ago, but it has fallen through and he has posted a clip of himself working out in the gym, accompanied by the word ‘focus’.

The former Lille star joined Arsenal for £72 million in 2019, making 112 appearances across his first three seasons with the Gunners.

Pepe played 23 times across all competitions for Arsenal in 2021-22, scoring thrice and assisting six others.

It was a far cry from his performances in front of goal in 2020-21, where he grabbed 16 and five assists in 47 games.

Pepe fell out of favour under Arteta and was allowed to leave temporarily, and while he scored eight times and assisted once in 28 games in Nice, the French club opted against signing him permanently.

The winger is looking for a new club as things stand and is currently keeping himself in the best shape ahead of a potential transfer.

Things did not quite work out for Pepe at Arsenal and both parties are set to part ways this summer.

The Gunners would hope to generate a transfer fee, however small, for their former club-record signing, but they are prepared to rip up his contract if that does not happen before the summer transfer window shuts.