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Arsenal transfer news: Gunners make approach for Lille star Nicolas Pepe – reports

Arsenal have made contact with the representatives of Lille star Nicolas Pepe, according to reports in France.

The 23-year-old forward was in scintillating form for the French club last season, bagging 13 goals in 36 Ligue 1 games.

Pepe has begun this season promisingly too, notching his first goal of the season during the opening day victory over Rennes.

His all-round performances have led to suggestions that a big-money move could be on the cards, with Europe’s top clubs closely monitoring his progress.

And, according to Le10 Sport, Arsenal are looking to steal a march on their transfer rivals and have already initiated talks with Pepe’s representatives.

The Ivory Coast international is valued at around £30m and the Gunners are hopeful of luring the in-demand forward to Emirates Stadium when the transfer window reopens in January.

Arsenal have alerted Lille of their interest in signing Cote d'Ivoire's Nicolas Pepe, Le10 Sport claims.

The 23-year-old has had a strong start to the 2018-19 season with a goal and three assists for Lille who are placed fourth in the Ligue 1 table.

Pepe's versatility up front would be a good addition to Unai Emery's squad who have managed three wins in five league matches so far.

Lille owner Gerard Lopez has confirmed Barcelona's interest in Nicolas Pepe, and suggests the club may be forced to sell him in January.

Pepe has scored four goals already this season, including a stunning hat-trick in a 3-2 win over Amiens, with reports claiming Manchester United are among the clubs to be keen.

Arsenal are among the clubs interested in Lille wide-man Nicolas Pepe, 23. The £30m-rated Ivory Coast international has received positive reviews in France for his performances this season having scored five goals in eight games. (Mirror)

Lille winger Nicolas Pepe, 23, has welcomed speculation linking him with Arsenal and other leading European clubs but insists it is too soon for him to plan for next summer. (London Evening Standard)

Arsenal transfer plans in turmoil after Danny Welbeck injury forces Unai Emery to step-up £45m pursuit of Lille winger Nicolas Pepe

Gunners need a rethink of their January sales plans as rookie Eddie Nketiah is now the main back-up for front two Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette

Emery had not been planning to make any new signings until the summer.

But Welbeck’s injury means that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette are now the only available senior strikers.

And with both of those players starting in Arsenal’s strongest team, that leaves only teenage rookie Eddie Nketiah on stand-by.
Nketiah, 19, has never started a senior game for Arsenal and has not featured at all under Emery.

The Londoner did manage ten substitute appearances for Arsene Wenger last season but has completed just 17 minutes of Premier League action so far.

With Arsenal fighting to secure a top-four finish and harbouring ­serious ambitions of winning the Europa League and Carabao Cup, Emery knows he will need more threat up front.

Head of recruitment Sven Mislintat has been keeping a close eye on Ivorian international Pepe, who has scored nine goals for French title contenders Lille this season.

But with Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund also keen on the forward, 23, he is not going to come cheaply.

Arsenal have not budgeted for any major signings in the New Year and have now been forced to abandon the idea of selling Welbeck before he becomes a free agent in the summer.

But they do not want to damage the momentum created by Emery and will provide the funds for another striker if the manager deems it necessary.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football ... epe-lille/

Arsenal hunt £27m Lille winger Pépé

Arsenal will attempt to sign a forward in the January transfer window to boost their chances of returning to the Champions League next season. With third and fourth places in the Premier League within reach, the club have changed their position on mid-season signings since Danny Welbeck’s ankle injury, which is expected to rule him out for the rest of the season.

They have made Nicolas Pépé one of their main targets. The Lille winger has scored eight goals and made five assists in 13 league games this season. He is valued at about £27m and Arsenal face competition for his acquisition from Tottenham Hotspur.

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Mustafi wrote:The new price tag sounds better to me than the 45m previously mentioned. Let this happen.

Arsenal hope to beat Bayern Munich and Barcelona to the signing of 23-year-old Ivory Coast winger Nicolas Pepe from Lille. (Mercato 365, via Talksport)