From £72m signing to free agent: Arsenal rip up Nicolas Pepe's contract as winger nears Trabzonspor move

• Pepe leaves Arsenal
• Gunners spent £72m to sign him
• Now poised for Trabzonspor move

WHAT HAPPENED? The winger's time with the north London club has not gone to plan since he joined in a club-record transfer worth £72 million in 2019. He had been linked with a move away all summer but no transfer materialised before the end of the window. Now, he is free to sign a new club after the Gunners agreed to tear up his contract.

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Pepe, who scored 27 goals in 112 games for the club, is reported to be on the way to Trabzonspor in Turkey. He had previously been linked with a move to Besiktas in the same league, while there were reports of interest from Saudi Arabia, too.

IN THREE PHOTOS:

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WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL? Mikel Arteta's team are in action again on September 17, when they face Everton.