Newcastle fans react as Toon reportedly eye Arsenal star Nicolas Pepe, battling Rafa Benitez and Crystal Palace

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Newcastle United are reportedly battling Everton and Crystal Palace in the race to sign Arsenal ace Nicolas Pepe – and Toon fans have responded.

Pepe, 26, is on the fringes at Arsenal under Mikel Arteta. Signed by Unai Emery for Arsenal in a club-record £72million deal, he is struggling.

The Ivory Coast international has started just one of Arsenal’s last six. Arteta is preferring to use Emile Smith-Rowe and Bukayo Saka out wide.

The signing of Martin Odegaard has pushed England star Smith-Rowe to the left, and then Saka over to the right. Impenetrable for Pepe, at the moment.

So, the race is hotting up to offer Pepe an escape route ahead of January. Jeunes Footeux report that Everton, Crystal Palace and Newcastle are keen.

It is believed that the three Premier League clubs interested would only consider a loan deal in January, with an option to buy Pepe.

What are Newcastle fans saying about a move for Arsenal ace Pepe?

Pepe has enormous potential. He scored 23 goals in one season for Lille from out wide in the season prior to actually joining Newcastle.

Not only that, but he does also have 43 goal involvements in his 98 Arsenal appearances. A pretty good record, though many come in cup competitions.

Newcastle have Allan Saint-Maximin on the left, and Callum Wilson up top. But they lack a right winger, and the £140k-a-week (Spotrac) star is ideal.

Newcastle fans have taken to Twitter to express their desire to see the Toon avoid a move for Pepe in the coming weeks and months.