05 August 2023 , 12:39
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Former Liverpool and Arsenal winger Jermaine Pennant believes he would be valued at up to £80m in the current transfer market, aiming a dig at Nicolas Pepe in the process.
Pennant first hit the headlines as a 15-year-old back in 1999 when Arsenal forked out £2m to sign him from Notts County, a then record fee for a trainee footballer. The winger was a hugely talented young prospect who went on to play in the 2007 Champions League final for Liverpool as they were beaten 2-1 by AC Milan.
However, Pennant ultimately failed to hit the heights expected of him when Arsenal signed him as a teenager. Despite admitting he "could have made more of myself and my ability" during his career, Pennant says he would be worth around £80m today if he was still playing.
"If Nicolas Pepe can go for £72m, surely I can top that in today's market," Pennant told Lord Ping. "Attacking players always get valued more than defenders, I'm English as well so that would be a premium.
"I'd say between £70m and £80m. I was an attacker, I could get behind players, my assists were high. I'd have suited a 4-3-3 too when I played in a 4-4-2, helping out the full-back. In a 4-3-3 you get more freedom so I'd have had more joy. If James Ward-Prowse is touted for £50m, I think I'd be worth more than that in today's market."
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Pepe's £72m move to Arsenal from Lille in 2019 was the club's record signing until this summer when Declan Rice made a £105m switch to the Emirates from West Ham and Pennant has branded Pepe "one of the worst signings" the club has ever made.
"There have been some awful Arsenal signings down the years but because of the amount, how much he's played and the performances then you have to say Pepe is one of the worst signings," Pennant added.
Pennant has branded £72m Nicolas Pepe one of Arsenal's worst-ever signings (Getty Images)Mirror Football is now on Threads!
"I remember we bought Igors Stepanovs, he was a terrible signing but he was free. If you're paying £72m you want something back, and it's been nil. Put those together and he's probably been one of Arsenal’s worst-ever signings."
Pepe is expected to leave Arsenal this summer, having spent last season on loan at Nice, with Turkish side Besiktas interested in signing the winger. The Gunners could terminate his contract a year early in order to facilitate the move, allowing him to leave on a free transfer.
He has not made a Premier League start since October 2021 and was not included in Arsenal's pre-season tour of the United States, although manager Mikel Arteta explained Pepe's absence was due to an injury.