Arsenal and the agents of Nicolas Pepe are in deadlock over a mutual termination of the player’s contract, the UK Express reports.

Besiktas is pushing to sign Pepe but will only do that if the Ivorian becomes a free agent.

The Turkish club will explore alternative targets if the LF360 agency fails to deliver on its promise of freeing the player from the final year of his deal in north London.

In the past, Arsenal have indicated they are prepared to tear up contracts for the greater good of the club.

However, in the case of Pepe, the Premier League side wants to recoup a small fraction of the £72 million club record fee they paid Lille in the summer of 2019.

Pepe’s representatives will hold further talks with Arsenal as they attempt to twist sporting director Edu’s arm.

The 28-year-old, who spent last season on loan with Nice in France, has already agreed terms with Besiktas.