Arsenal 'hold contacts' over Nicolas Pepe signing – France Football

Posted Tuesday, May 07, 2019 by 101 GREAT GOALS

As per a report from France Football, Arsenal have discussed the potential signing of Nicolas Pepe with French outfit Lille.

Lille standout

Pepe, a 23-year-old Ivorian winger, has been Ligue 1's breakout star this season.

The gifted African has notched 20 goals and 11 assists across 35 league outings for Christophe Galtier's Lille, proving one of the key contributors to Les Dogues' surprise charge to second-place in the French top-flight.

Pepe is noted for his turn of pace, ability to beat defenders, eye for a killer pass and, evidently based on his stellar goal return, penchant for finding the net on a consistent basis.

Premier League links

As such, the explosive attacker's stellar form at the Stade Pierre Mauroy has inevitably seen Pepe linked with a number of Europe's top clubs.

Arsenal 'hold contacts' over Nicolas Pepe signing – France Football
Nicolas Pepe during the match between FC Porto and Lille. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)

To this point, all of Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Barcelona, PSG and Bayern Munich have been named as suitors of the Lille standout.

Arsenal were even linked with a big-money swoop for Pepe in January:

Arsenal leading chase for Nicolas Pepe but lots of competition emerging. L’Equipe this morning suggest Lille will negotiate in January if a club opens bidding at €50m. But owner has previously stated he won’t sell mid season
— Matt Spiro (@mattspiro) 17 December 2018

Arsenal remain keen

And, as per the aforementioned update from France Football (via GFFN) this evening, the Gunners remain in contact with Lille over a potential summer swoop for the explosive Ivorian.

Arsenal's options on the wing could be described as limited at best as things stand, with Unai Emery having seemingly identified Pepe as a key target.

Crucially, however, France Football add that the Lille standout is likely to prove too expensive for the North Londoners:

Arsenal have held contacts to sign Nicolas Pépé from Lille this summer but he is likely to be too expensive for them, according to France Football.
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) 6 May 2019