Nicolas Pepe is name that every Reds fan will be familiar with by now, having been linked with the club all summer, but last week, he opted to sign for Unai Emery’s Arsenal.
According to Get French Football News, Liverpool – despite the club denying it – were one of a number of teams to express interest in Pepe.
In fact, it was reported a couple of weeks ago that the Reds were one of four clubs to have agreed an €80 million fee with Lille for the transfer, with Napoli and the Gunners also among the sides to have done the same thing.
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The decision then of where to go was down to the player, and it is claimed despite ‘concrete discussions’ with the Reds, Pepe chose Arsenal because he was not guaranteed game time at Anfield.
Competing against Mo Salah and Sadio Mane for places out wide, Pepe might not have been number one choice, but he still would have played plenty. He is said, though, to have wanted to join a club where he would be the main man.
Convincing players that that they will get enough minutes on the pitch is proving tough for the Reds – Pepe won’t be the only player looking at the situation like that, which perhaps partly explains the club’s quiet summer.