EPL title chase: Fans expectant as Arsenal ‘capture’ £72m Pepe

Arsenal are confident of signing Nicolas Pepe from Lille after agreeing a £72m fee for the winger, according to Sky in Italy.

Lille president Gerard Lopez confirmed on Friday that Napoli had agreed a deal for the 24-year-old winger, but Arsenal appear to have trumped the Italian side by offering superior terms.

Napoli were willing to pay Pepe £3.6m per year, but with the Ivory Coast international seeking a £4.5m annual salary, Arsenal have made a stronger offer.

Lopez said on Friday: “We received offers that satisfy us economically from four big clubs. Napoli is one of these and has satisfied our request of 80 million. Now it will be up to the player to decide where to go, also based on the proposals that his agents received from the four companies.”

Arsenal’s focus had been on signing Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha for a similar fee, but Lille’s willingness to receive a lower fee upfront with the rest in instalments makes a move for Pepe more financially viable.

This could clear a path for Everton to get Zaha this summer. Sky Sports News understands the Merseyside club are in talks with Palace and set to bid £60m for the Ivory Coast international.

It is understood the Toffees are also willing to include a player in any potential deal with Palace for Zaha, who is keen to test himself at a new club after four-and-a-half years at Selhurst Park.

A deal for Pepe would eclipse the club-record £60m Arsenal paid for striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in January 2018.

Along with Arsenal, Manchester United have also been linked with Pepe, who scored 22 goals and contributed 11 assists in Ligue 1 last season.

“Pepe will return from his holidays on Monday and I think that he will make his mind up halfway through the week,” Lopez added.

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