Transfer Rumors: Arsenal Looks To Trade Away Ivorian Winger For Juventus' Swede Standout

KEY POINTS

Arsenal is looking to add Dejan Kulusevski to replace the underachieving Nicholas Pepe
Kulusevski could get more chances of playing time if he moves to the Emirates Stadium
Juventus may consider a deal for Pepe, but a cash outlay is unlikely to be huge

Arsenal continues to look for potential pawns to move, particularly players who they invested in heavily.

Nicolas Pepe has been underwhelming, and the Gunners are looking at options. One of them is a possible deal with Juventus for Dejan Kulusevski.

According to Tutto Juve, Arsenal has its sights on the 21-year-old midfielder who has not gotten much of a break in Turin.

Kulusevski has started only twice for I Bianconeri, but a change of scenery could provide his sagging career a boost.

Nicolas Pepe scored a vital penalty in the first leg of Arsenal's Europa League semi-final against Villarreal AFP / JOSE JORDAN

However, Arsenal would have to meet the financial demands of Juventus to make it happen.

Bianconeri reportedly wants £30 million ($40 million) in exchange for the Swede.

A deal involving Pepe could make sense between Arsenal and Juventus. The Ivorian is worth £72 million ($97 million), but like Kulusevski, may flourish if he switches sides.

To date, the 26-year-old has failed to live up to the hefty investment that the Gunners made on him and there are claims that Arteta has run out of patience.

In the 95 matches that he has appeared, Pepe has found the back of the net 25 times aside from issuing 18 assists.

Swapping places with Pepe could help Kulusevski perform better, not to mention more chances of playing time.

With Le Zebre, the midfielder has been mostly used as a backup. He was only featured 62 times and managed to score 16 goals.

At only 21, Kulusevski is a player that may still be rough behind the edges and develop further.

Arteta could be the perfect mentor to guide the Swede towards that, not to mention be a new young vital piece as the Gunners continue to retool.

It is a deal worth considering although it appears that Arsenal is the club looking to improve.

With their $97 million investment on Pepe proving to be a flop, moving the Ivorian for a young player who can be improved is one option Arteta may resort to.

But the only problem here is if Juventus is willing to include Kulsevski and shell out cash for Pepe.

If not a direct deal, a logical move would be for Arsenal to find a willing taker for Pepe first.