As reported by The Sun, Premier League giants Chelsea and Arsenal are keeping tabs on £65 million rated Brazilian winger Pepe.
The 25-year-old has been a reliable starter for the Portuguese champions this season. In 21 appearances in all competitions, Pepe has scored two goals and provided five assists. Sergio Conceicao’s team won Group B, and Pepe started each of Porto’s six Champions League group stage games.
In Europe, the former Gremio teenager showed off his versatility by playing as a right-back, right-winger, left-winger, and number 10; he has also carried out similar responsibilities in the Primeira Liga. Pepe joined Porto from Gremio in the summer of 2021 and has since scored eight goals and eleven assists in 63 games. In October, he signed a new contract with the club that runs until 2027.
The Brazilian winger’s performances have caught the attention of Arsenal and Chelsea. Pepe is rumoured to have a €75 million (£64 million) release clause in his contract, and Porto would demand that the sum be paid in full in order to let the player leave.
Chelsea and Arsenal will be expecting a period of tough negotiations, and it is unknown at this time whether Pepe has any desire to leave Porto.
The attacker has won one Primeira Liga title, one Taca de Portugal title, and one Taca da Liga title since moving to Portugal, but his success has not yet led to opportunities abroad.
Pepe has scored three goals in six games for Brazil’s Under-23 team, although he has never represented his country at the senior level and was left off of Tite’s World Cup roster.
Chelsea may need to look for a replacement if Hakim Ziyech prefers to leave Stamford Bridge in January. The out-of-favor Moroccan is still reportedly on AC Milan’s radar.
Arsenal is also interested in the South American winger as they look to strengthen their squad in the upcoming January transfer window.
