Transfer News: Chelsea and Arsenal tracking FC Porto winger Pepe
According to Portuguese outlet Record (h/t Express), Premier League rivals Chelsea and Arsenal are tracking Brazilian winger Pepe of FC Porto.
Pepe, who arrived in Porto from Brazilian side Gremio in the summer of 2021, has a contract with the Portuguese club till the summer of 2027 (Transfermarkt).
It is reported that Porto could hold out for a very high release clause of Β£65m, which is deemed higher than the market value of the player. It is truly an eye-watering amount for a player yet to make himself a household name in European football.
The 25-year-old has scored two goals and assisted five in 21 appearances in all competitions. He is positionally versatile, to say the least, having been used on either wing and also as a right-back this season. In fact, he has played the most games out of the 21 as a right-back (seven).
Considering that caveat, his goals and assists numbers are decent. In terms of attributes, Pepe has great speed to make runs in behind, and is very good at dribbling and creating chances. As per Whoscored, he averages up to 1.5 key passes per game and 1.8 dribbles per game.
Chelsea do have an issue in their forward line with players struggling to make an impact in the final both in terms of scoring and creating chances. Summer signings Raheem Sterling and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have not settled in yet.
Hence, manager Graham Potter would be looking for reinforcements in that department sooner rather than later. However, despite the fact that Pepe is a good player who is getting better with every passing year, the price Porto could hold out for could be a bit too much.
The Blues did spend a lot of money in the summer transfer window, but forking out Β£65m for a player who is decent but not really a world-beater could be risky.
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- Christopher Nkunku is set to join Chelsea next summer with the deal nearly done
Now, it depends on Potter and the recruitment department whether they like this player and believe they can get the best out of him. As fans, we know we need more in the forward line. Just not sure signing Pepe would be the solution.