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Leicester City to rival Nice for Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe?

Leicester City to rival Nice for Nicolas Pepe?
© Reuters
Leicester City are reportedly contemplating whether to rival Nice in the race to sign Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe.

Leicester City are reportedly giving consideration to making an approach for Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe.

The Foxes have endured a well-documented period of frustration in the transfer market, a consequence of FFP restrictions and squad-number limitations.

That has been partially eased with a couple of outgoings, but backup goalkeeper Alex Smithies remains the only additions during the summer window.

However, with Wesley Fofana and Youri Tielemans continuing to be linked with a big-money transfer elsewhere, Brendan Rodgers could be provided with the chance to finally bring in at least one fresh face.

According to The Times, Rodgers hold an interest in securing the services of Pepe over the coming week.

 Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers acknowledges fans after the match on April 10, 2022© Reuters

The Ivory Coast international has failed to play a single minute of Arsenal's opening three Premier League fixtures, all of which have ended in victories.

When quizzed on the matter before the latest triumph over Bournemouth, head coach Mikel Arteta hinted that permission had been given for Pepe to find a new team.

The Spaniard told reporters: "What we can communicate we always do when it's the right moment. We discussed that we have a big squad and we've made some decisions and allowed some players to leave."

Reports have suggested that Pepe would prefer a return to Ligue 1, where he previously excelled for Lille and earned himself a £72m transfer to the Emirates Stadium.

Nicolas Pepe in action for Arsenal in August 2021© Reuters

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has previously indicated that the two parties are in discussions over a loan agreement for the attacker.

As it stands, that appears to be the most likely conclusion for a player is eager to secure regular first-team football during 2022-23.

During the last campaign, Pepe was provided with just 681 minutes of Premier League football, contributing only one goal and two assists.

In total, the wideman has provided 16 goals and nine assists from his 80 outings in England's top flight, although Rodgers may be prepared to hand Pepe the game time that he craves in the East Midlands.

Leicester have only recorded one point from three games with James Maddison the only attack-minded player to make an impression this campaign.

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal6501147715
2Manchester CityMan City64202061414
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs6420125714
4Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton6411115613
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd640288012
6Chelsea631289-110
7Liverpool623115699
8Brentford623115969
9Leeds UnitedLeeds6222101008
10Fulham62229908
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle61417617
12Southampton6213710-37
13Bournemouth6213518-137
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves613234-16
15Crystal Palace613279-26
16Everton604246-24
17Aston Villa6114510-54
18West Ham UnitedWest Ham611438-54
19Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest6114414-104
20Leicester CityLeicester6015816-81

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