There was reported interest from Leeds United last summer in Juventus winger Simone Pepe, but the 32-year right winger signed for Chievo Verona. There is talk, according to the Express that Leeds may renew their interest in him.
Arriving on a free transfer from Juventus, Pepe played 22 times for Chievo in last season’s Serie A championship. During these 22 appearances, the right-winger scored three goals and provided three assists.
Back in June 2015, the Yorkshire Evening Post (YEP) ran a story saying that the then 31-year-old was of interest to the Whites. The YEP went on to say that, “He [Pepe] has been linked with the Elland Road club since April, after Leeds owner Massimo Cellino said he was interested in bringing a series of Italian-based players to the club.”
Of course this interest fizzled and the cultured 2010 World Cup player signed on for another season in Serie A. However, having not agreed to a contract extension with Chievo, Pepe is an unattached free agent ahead of talks with the club next week.
Italian website TUTTOmercatoWEB said that any decision by Pepe to resign for Chievo will rely on “the decisive encounter between the entourage of the player and the gialloblù leadership” in a meeting scheduled for next week.
Should Leeds interest, as proposed by the Express, bear through to fruition then Pepe’s signature would be considered a coup. Forget the fabled ‘Championship experience’ argument, Simone Pepe brings 241 games of top tier Serie A experience with him. The majority of these Serie A games (104), goals (14) and assists (10) come from his time with Udinese.
Forget about his age and remember the old adage: form is temporary, class is permanent.
