There can be little doubt that Arsenal having an €80 million bid for in-demand Lille winger Nicolas Pepe accepted today, has been the story dominating the football-related headlines.
The Gunners are expected to wrap up the signing of the hugely talented 24-year-old attacker in the next couple of days, and as always the good people of Football Twitter have been reacting in typical fashion.
It all started when the Oracle of Arsenal David Ornstein broke the news early this morning.
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 (@bbcsport_david) July 27, 2019
Of course, it wasn’t long before we started to see stats that show why the Ivory Coast international is so highly-rated…
Nicolas Pépé’s 2018-19 Ligue 1 season by numbers:
38 games
118 total shots
108 fouls won
102 take-ons completed
70 chances created
22 goals
11 assistsA move to the Premier League could be close. 👀 pic.twitter.com/BkXoTehDCz
— Squawka (@Squawka) July 27, 2019
Eden Hazard's best season at Lille (2011-12):
👕 Appearances: 38
⚽ Goals: 20
🅰️ Assists: 15Nicolas Pepe (Lille 2018-19):
👕 Appearances: 38
⚽ Goals: 22
🅰️ Assists 11 pic.twitter.com/27u0XBD1CZ— GOAL (@goal) July 27, 2019
As we reported earlier Arsenal are expected to pay Lille in installments, although that hasn’t stopped people having lots of fun about the Gunners widely reported £45 million transfer budget….
https://twitter.com/jmemc55/status/1155066882594091008
https://twitter.com/theCyberNewt/status/1155069227944095744
How will your Arsenal be able to sign Nicolas Pepe, Kieran Tierney and Zaha when your budget is just £45m?
Raul Sanllehi: pic.twitter.com/qmbTaDr1ah
— Olúwajàre (@dami_legal) July 27, 2019
When everyone thinks your budget is £45m but you make an €80m+ offer to sign Nicolas Pepe
😏#AFC pic.twitter.com/oSKA0BUcwj
— Ladbrokes (@Ladbrokes) July 27, 2019
While many have been pointing out that a certain Mr.Zaha might not be too happy about today’s big story…
Wilfred Zaha looking at Arsenal buying Nicolas Pepe instead of him. pic.twitter.com/dryAkQjTsr
— Soham Naskar (@SohamNaskar) July 27, 2019
https://twitter.com/DailySports_1/status/1155063182496555009
It’s fair to say it’s been an eventful week for Arsenal fans…
https://twitter.com/theCyberNewt/status/1155067256398843905
Finally, let’s have a look at what the Gunners will be getting for their money…
Nicolas Pepe, welcome to our club❤️ pic.twitter.com/zD0jqcv9Ds
— TheArseneView (@TheArseneView) July 27, 2019
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