Everton will compete with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Saudi Pro League clubs to sign 29-year-old Ivory Coast international Nicolas Pepe from La Liga club Villarreal.
According to a report by French outlet Foot Mercato, Nicolas Pepe is the subject of interest from Everton. The Toffees are keen on reinforcing their offensive unit in the summer transfer window and have set their sights on the Villarreal winger. However, the Merseyside club will face stiff competition from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Saudi Pro League outfits for the Ivory Coast international.
Nicolas Pepe and his slight resurgence
Nicolas Pepe has somewhat resurrected his stuttering career since leaving Arsenal nearly two years ago. Born in Mantes-la-Jolie, the experienced winger spent his formative years in France and graduated from the youth division at Stade Poitevin FC. However, he rose in prominence during his spell with LOSC Lille.
The 29-year-old’s exploits with LOSC Lille earned him a big-money move to Arsenal. However, while Pepe showed flashes of brilliance at the North London club, he could not make his mark at the Emirates in his three seasons with the Premier League outfit. The player’s spell with Arsenal ended in the summer transfer window of 2023, as he completed a free transfer to Trabzonspor.
However, Pepe’s spell with Trabzonspor ended after only one season, and he completed another free transfer last summer. Villarreal snapped him up, and he has managed two strikes and four assists in 23 La Liga outings thus far. While the tally is not impressive, the Ivory Coast international recently set the stage alight against Osasuna. His exploits have alerted several well-known clubs, including Everton.
Premier League return on the horizon?
Everton’s interest in Nicolas Pepe is understandable. The Toffees are scouring the market for a wide attacker heading into the summer transfer window amid uncertainties surrounding the long-term futures of Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom. It is unclear if the Merseyside outfit will complete permanent moves for the duo after their loan deals run out.
So, several candidates, including Richarlison, have emerged on Everton’s radar, with Pepe also a viable target. The French-born winger already has vast experience in the Premier League, even though he did not succeed at Arsenal.
However, the Toffees face stiff competition from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Saudi Pro League outfits. So, it will be interesting to see what the future has in store for the 29-year-old Ivory Coast international.