Report: What Nicolas Pepe and Hector Bellerin were spotted doing in Arsenal training on USA tour

By Sam Preston

Hector Bellerin and Nicolas Pepe have been in pre-season training with Arsenal despite lingering exit rumours.

It looked almost certain that Bellerin would return to Real Betis after his loan spell there last season, but that is not done yet and he has been in America with the touring squad.

The pursuit of Raphinha made it quite obvious Pepe is surplus to requirements at Arsenal, but there does not look to be any advanced interest yet.

The Athletic have produced a report on Arsenal’s pre-season tour and kept an eye on the wantaway players during training sessions.

Bellerin and Pepe happy in Arsenal training

They say that both men – as well as Bernd Leno, who could well be bound for newly-promoted Fulham – were happy and relaxed in training.

It certainly does not seem to be the case that they are unhappy, disgruntled players training away from the first team while they wait for a move.

That will please Mikel Arteta, who has been trying to move towards a happy, harmonious group, even if all his outgoings and incomings are not done yet.

Both players could be useful for squad depth in the season ahead, especially with the Europa League on the horizon next term.

But Bellerin has just the one year left on his contract, so it would make sense for Arsenal to get rid of him this summer while they can still get a fee for him.

Offloading Pepe could be a chance to get some cash in, but his spell in England has not enticed any serious, big-money interest yet.

There is still time for that to change, especially if Arsenal do go into the market for a new wide forward after missing out on Raphinha.