Report: Club slaps £52m price tag on double-winning Brazilian attacker; Newcastle and Arsenal in picture

Tue 28 June 2022 21:15, UK

Newcastle United and Arsenal have both been linked with Porto winger Pepe this summer.

In May, claimed the Gunners were leading the race for the Brazilian attacker.

Since then, Newcastle have reportedly edged in front and even made a bid for Pepe.

– via – claim the Magpies presented a €35m (£30m) offer for the 25-year-old.

However, Porto reportedly turned it down, and will ask for ‘at least €60m’ to negotiate the player’s sale this summer.

Although the Dragons ‘reject’ Newcastle’s offer, Globo claim that the two clubs ‘still negotiate’ for Pepe.

The report also claimed Arsenal were indeed curious about the player.

However, Newcastle are apparently the only club to make an ‘official offer’ to Porto.

Porto would apparently prefer to keep Pepe and sell him in the future for a higher price.

However, the Globo Esporte report adds a ‘transfer is not ruled out’ in the summer window.

Pepe’s contract runs until 2026 and reportedly contains a €70m (£60.5m) release clause.

Will Arsenal fight Newcastle for Pepe now Raphinha seems to be going elsewhere?

Pepe enjoyed a superb maiden campaign for Porto following his .

He helped his new club win the Primeira Liga and Taca de Portugal double .

Though Newcastle saw their opening bid rejected, the two clubs are apparently still in talks over him.

However, the Magpies aren’t planning to simply splash the cash this summer.

So it remains to be seen whether they’ll up their bid to £52m, or simply turn their attentions elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Arsenal were reportedly trying to sign Raphinha, but he’s apparently closing in on a move to Chelsea.

So the Gunners could well rekindle their interest in Pepe if the Leeds United ace ends up in west London.