Arsenal seal £72m deal for Lille´s Pepe

Arsenal have announced the signing of Lille forward Nicolas Pepe in a club-record deal reported to be worth £72million (£80m).

Pepe was linked with Paris Saint-Germain, Napoli and Champions League winners Liverpool after a breakthrough 2018-19 season.

The Ivory Coast attacker scored 22 Ligue 1 goals last term and supplied 11 assists to catch the eye of Europe’s elite clubs.

But it is Arsenal who have landed the 24-year-old, who eclipses Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as the club’s record signing.

“Nicolas is a highly-rated and talented winger who was wanted by many of the top teams in Europe,” Gunners head coach Unai Emery told his club’s official website.
 
“Signing a top-class winger has been one of our key objectives in this transfer window and I’m delighted he’s joining.
 
“He will add pace, power and creativity, with the aim of bringing more goals to our team.”

Welcome to The Arsenal, Nicolas Pepe 

 #PepeIsHere  pic.twitter.com/nXJIB9XdLW

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 1, 2019

Pepe’s capture is a coup for Arsenal, given they failed to qualify for the Champions League last term and he is their fourth addition ahead of 2019-20.

After Brazilian youngster Gabriel Martinelli signed earlier in the close season, Dani Ceballos joined on loan from Real Madrid and William Saliba signed from Saint-Etienne, although the defender will remain in Ligue 1 on loan this season.