Arsenal are set to win the race to sign Ivory Coast winger Nicolas Pepe from French club Lille in a deal that would hand a huge boost to their squad.
The 24-year-old had been linked with both Liverpool and Napoli but BBC journalist and Arsenal transfer expert David Ornstein has confirmed that Arsenal have agreed a deal worth 80 million euros paid over a series of instalments.
Arsenal have reached an agreement with Lille to sign Ivory Coast winger Nicolas Pepe for ~€80m, paid by instalments to fit #AFC budget. 5yr deal, agent agreement still needed but set to be closed in next 24/48hrs. Napoli also have agreement with #LOSC but agent rejected proposal
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 27, 2019
The London club had been chasing Wilfried Zaha but failed to reach an agreement with Crystal Palace. Instead, Pepe is on the verge of joining the Premier League club. He scored 23 goals last season and the signing is in line with Arsenal's restricted transfer budget.
The club are still in need of a full-back and Kieran Tierney is still a possibility. Celtic signed Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo from Rapid Vienna as a potential replacement already this transfer window.
