Arsenal have agreed on a fee with Lille for the services of highly-rated winger Nicolas Pepe, which will break the club’s previous transfer record.
The 24-year-old will move to north London from France in a deal worth €80m (£72m), according to BBC Sport correspondent David Ornstein.
Personal terms still need to be agreed between Arsenal and the Ivorian’s representatives, but Ornstein reports that the deal should be completed in the next day or two. Fabrizio Romano reported something similar earlier this morning.
Ornstein also reported that the fee will be paid in installments, allowing Arsenal to stay within their restricted budget this summer.
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 Gunners have beaten Napoli to Pepe’s signature, the Italian club having offered the same amount, but is believed to have been turned down by the player’s agent.
It has been a busy week for the Premier League outfit, who also signed William Saliba from Saint-Etienne and Dani Ceballos on loan from Real Madrid.
Arsenal are believed to be still interest in signing Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace, although they could be gazumped by Everton’s £60m bid for the winger.
Read: Arsenal legend admits he’s excited about Saliba transfer
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