The January transfer window is set to be a frantic state of affairs for Newcastle with the Toon Army recently taken over by the Saudi Prince Investment Fund.
It’ll be an exciting time for Magpies supporters as they can finally look forward to a period of spending, rather than having to sit back and watch a number of uninspiring signings walk through the door as they did under Mike Ashley.
What’s the word?
One of the areas Newcastle should look to strengthen over the winter is in forward areas. They have already been touted with moves for players like Mauro Icardi and Dusan Vlahovic but it’s a Premier League based player who has now caught their eye.
According to French outlet, Jeunes Footeux, Nicolas Pepe has emerged on the radar of the northeast club.
The Arsenal winger is also fielding interest from Crystal Palace and Everton as the Gunners’ £72m record-signing potentially faces the exit door.
Imagine him & ASM
There is no denying that Pepe quite clearly possesses a quite incredible amount of ability. On his day, he has the ability to “ignite” games in the words of Toon legend Alan Shearer, but on other days, he’s “not bothered” to quote Newcastle’s famous number 9 again.
Criticism has impacted his time in north London considerably with the Ivorian even believed to have been left “hurting” according to Mikel Arteta after a barrage of comments from Shearer.
That said, despite his shoddy work ethic, he’s a player that Newcastle supporters could relish seeing in action, particularly alongside Allan Saint-Maximin.
The Frenchman is a bundle of energy in forward areas and has recorded 4.1 dribbles per game this term, the second-highest number in the entire English top-flight.
Coincidentally, that’s an area where Pepe thrives in too. Although his numbers aren’t quite so astronomical, he possesses the ability to beat most full-backs in Europe, recording 1.9 dribbles per match this term.
He is an inconsistent figure, something Saint-Maximin can relate to, but the thought of witnessing the two wing wizards dominating the flanks at St James’ Park is a thought worth salivating over.
Combine that with Eddie Howe’s desire for possession-based football and Pepe would surely feel right at home after his spell at Arsenal.
Although he has flattered to deceive in England, the Ivory Coast international has still found the net 25 times for the Gunners in just over two years. To put that into context, Callum Wilson has scored exactly the same number over a parrel period of time.
Push all of those combinations together and Newcastle could end up having quite the strike force if they can lure Pepe further north in January.
AND in other news, Howe could finally axe Joelinton if NUFC swoop for £31.5m-rated “phenomenon”…