Nicolas Pepe was the subject of one of the most tedious sagas of the summer window.
For months it appeared that agents were pushing stories to various media outlets around Europe, claiming interest and offers from more than a handful of clubs.
Then, towards the end of July, representatives of the Lille player were photographed entering Napoli offices, and a move to the Italian club seemed close to being agreed.
Arsenal swooped and, as the story goes, the Gunners offered more in wages and better commission for the player’s agents.
Naturally, there was some bitterness left in Naples.
So, given that he’s not really kicked off his Arsenal career in style, articles are popping up from outlets which cover the Italian club.
TuttoNapoli call him a ‘Super-Flop’.
They state Napoli ‘seemed to have him in their hands’ and then the London club ‘put a rich contract on his plate’ and, coupled with the attraction of playing in the Premier League, it snatched Pepe away.
TuttoNapoli say his performance ‘has never been convincing’ apart from a ‘flash in the pan’ against Tottenham, and, therefore, he’s not paying back ‘the economic efforts of the Londoners’.
He who laughs last, laughs the loudest, and Nicolas Pepe and Arsenal will be hoping it’s them, rather than Napoli’s media.
