Arsenal Agree £80million Transfer For Nicolas Pepe | To Be Paid In Installments
Arsenal have reportedly submitted a bid of £72 million for Lille and Ivorian winger, Nicolas Pepe, a deal to which the French club has agreed.
According to BBC Sport, the Gunners are slated to pay in installments and an agreement for a five year deal will be cemented in the next 24 to 48 hours.
The Ivorian winger met with Napoli during the week with the Antonio Conte-led side leading the race to sign him amidst other interest from top sides like Liverpool.
However, Napoli’s proposal has reportedly been laid to waste with Pepe’s agent pushing for a move to the Emirates Stadium instead.
Emerging reports in Italy have revealed that Arsenal are willing to pay the agents fees and commission they so desire, placing them in pole position to agree personal terms with Pepe.
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The Ivorian who has also been linked to Manchester United could turn out out to be an alternative to his Ivory Coast teammate in Wilfred Zaha who Crystal Palace are holding out for with a huge sum as Unai Emery looks to strengthen in the wide areas ahead of the coming season.
Gerard Lopez, Lille President said that the club has accepted several bids for the Serie A sensation and that Pepe is expected to settle for one soon.
Lopez said that a number of clubs have indeed met the player’s asking price.
“It is clear that we have affinities with certain clubs. But we will take into account the footballing project that Nicolas has in mind.
“It is a big decision. It is in his interest to rapidly take his decision to not miss any more pre-season and to get himself a place in his new team.”, he said.
This link with the Emirates stadium comes after Pepe’s agent, Samir Khiat, took to social media to deny his client is on the verge of joining Manchester United, branding a tweet about the Ivorian heading to Old Trafford “fake news”.
