Nicolas Pepe bidding war as Ilkay Gundogan makes Arsenal admission

07 September 2023 , 03:00

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After three wins and a draw from their first four Premier League games, Arsenal can carry a feeling of positivity into the international break.

The fourth of those games was settled late on, with Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus netting in stoppage time as Mikel Arteta's side claimed another dramatic late victory over Manchester United. Away from the field, though, the Gunners still have some things to take care of.

Most of the club's transfer business was concluded early, but there's at least one more potential departure on the cards. That's one of the stories we're bringing you today as part of our round-up of the latest lines from around the Emirates Stadium.

Gundogan speaks after Arsenal interest

Former Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan has admitted the opportunity to complete a 'dream' Barcelona move kept him from joining Arsenal. The Gunners were reported to be among the other sides interested in the Germany international, who left the Etihad Stadium over the summer.

"I’m honest. And many people don’t know this: In the end, it wasn’t about a year or two," Gundogan told BILD. "There was no problem with the running time. City waited a relatively long time until the talks really intensified.

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"If this had happened a little earlier, the situation would have been different. So in the end it was the perfect ending, it couldn’t have come at a better time. It was also my childhood dream to play for FC Barcelona."

Two Gunners make Ballon d'Or shortlist

Arsenal stars Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard are among the players named on the Ballon d'Or shortlist. The pair are joined by a number of Premier League stars, as well as Harry Kane, who completed a move from Spurs to Bayern Munich this summer.

What have you made of Arsenal's start to the season? Have your say in the comments section

Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka have been recognised for their form (Getty Images)

Arsenal are also represented on the Yachine Trophy shortlist, with Aaron Ramsdale in contention to win the award for goalkeepers. He is one of several Premier League keepers in the mix, along with Man Utd new boy Andre Onana.

This year's Ballon d'Or ceremony will take place in Paris at the end of October. Lionel Messi is still the favourite to win the award after his starring role in Argentina's World Cup success at the end of 2022.

Gunners locked in Pepe talks

Arsenal are still attempting to negotiate a pay-off which would allow Nicolas Pepe to leave the club. Pepe was Arsenal's record signing when he joined from Lille in a £72m deal back in 2019, but lost his starting spot to Bukayo Saka and spent last season on loan at Nice.

Mikel Arteta has reportedly told the Ivorian international he's played his last game for Arsenal. However, with no suitable bids arriving before transfer deadline day, a pay-off and a release might be the only option left to the club, unless a move to Saudi Arabia or Turkey can be agreed before their respective windows shut.

Besiktas are keen on the winger but they now face competition from league rivals Trabzonspor. "We are still looking for solutions," Arteta told reporters last week. "There is a lot of communication between his agent and the player and the club at the moment, but there is nothing else to announce at the moment."