Crystal Palace are plotting a summer move for FC Porto winger Pepe according to Portuguese outlet A Bola, via Sport Witness, and have reportedly already ‘collected information’ on the player.
The 25-year-old Brazilian joined the Portuguese outfit from Gremio last summer and is also subject to interest from Arsenal, having scored six goals and registered five assists in 40 appearances across all competitions this term. Moreover, Pepe reportedly has a €70m (£59.4m) release clause, which could cause Palace a real issue.
However, the 25-year-old would undoubtedly be a quality addition to Patrick Vieira’s squad.
Palace should sign Pepe
Vieira has had an excellent first season as Crystal Palace manager, with the Frenchman subject to doubts regarding whether or not he would be able to keep the Eagles in the Premier League.
The 45-year-old has added plenty of bright young talent at Selhurst Park, with the south London outfit certainly a more exciting prospect going into next season, but there are still some areas of the squad which have ageing personnel or could do with extra quality in depth.
The Eagles have strong options out wide in Wilfried Zaha, Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze, but they could certainly do with more options in case of unplanned absences.
Moreover, there have been concerns that Olise could be lured away from Selhurst Park after just one season, with the 20-year-old’s current contract reportedly including a £35m release clause, although there are works behind the scenes on handing the French youngster a new deal to extinguish any fears regarding his future.
Therefore, adding Pepe to his ranks would certainly be a wise from Vieira, although the winger’s goal contributions don’t justify an asking price anywhere near £59.4m. At 25, he is at an excellent age where he already boasts ample experience but still has huge potential.
The £13.5m-rated Brazilian averages an 84% passing accuracy whilst providing 1.1 key passes per match. Moreover, he completes 1.3 dribbles per game at a 56% success rate whilst being right footed, as opposed to Olise being left-footed.
Should Palace sign Pepe?
In the Premier League this term, the 20-year-old has completed 1.1 dribbles per match at a 45% success rate whilst having a slightly lower passing accuracy at 81% and averaging 0.9 key passes per game.
Although Zaha will be at the top of the pecking order after his 13 Premier League goals this term, having other options would certainly improve Crystal Palace’s squad depth, with Pepe being a player that Vieira could certainly adore given his evident talents.
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