Arsenal break club-record to secure Nicolas Pepe from Lille for £72m

Arsenal have confirmed the signing of the Ivorian winger, Nicolas Pepe on a five-year deal for a club-record fee reported to be worth £72 million pounds.

The 24-year-old enjoyed a fruitful spell at Lille after arriving in 2017 from Angers. However, last season was when the Ivory Coast international rose to prominence and gathered admirers all over Europe. He bagged 22 goals in 37 appearances in Ligue 1, also recording 11 assists in that time.

Speaking after securing Pepe’s signing, Gunners boss Unai Emery said:

“Nicolas is a highly-rated and talented winger who was wanted by many of the top teams in Europe.

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.”

With plenty of speculation all summer regarding his signature, the deal to bring the winger to the Emirates will now eclipse the previous £56.1 million fee to bring Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in from Borussia Dortmund.

Talking to the club’s website regarding the move, the new number 19 is particularly excited to link up with a certain former Ligue 1 star:

“When I knew I was coming to Arsenal, I immediately thought of the French guys who play here.

I thought of Özil, the world champions, Lacazette, Aubameyang and many more. Of course, these are the players who sprang to mind because I used to watch them when I was at Lille.

Also, Lacazette used to play for Lyon and so I have had the opportunity to play against him. It will be an honour to play alongside him.”