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Arsenal transfer news: Yannick Carrasco plans ruined by £70m Nicolas Pepe snub
ARSENAL's hopes of signing Yannick Carrasco in a deadline day deal have been ruined by Ivorian Nicolas Pepe.
Arsenal and Milan are interested in signing Carrasco this month.
A deadline day move was on the cards, with the Gunners said to be keen on an initial loan deal.
Carrasco is keen to return to Europe after a stint at Dalian Yifang.
But the Chinese Super League side will not let their star man go without a replacement lined up.
January and February is China’s main transfer window as the Super League season runs from spring to autumn each year.
Any chance of Carrasco leaving for a return to Europe rested on Dalian Yifang securing a replacement.
They moved for Lille sensation Pepe, who has scored 15 goals for the Ligue 1 side this season.
But the Ivorian has no interest in moving to China are rejected the proposal.
Dalian Yifang were willing to pay an eye-watering £70m for Pepe - £63.5m up front with the remainder in bonuses.
That is according to France Football, who claim Pepe rejected the offer himself.
Alassane Plea of Borussia Monchengladbach is also said to have snubbed a move to the Far East.
No incoming player at Dalian Yifang means Carrasco will remain there - at least until the summer.
Arsenal manager Unai Emery has been restricted to loan deals this month, with Denis Suarez his only acquisition.
There are hopes that the Gunners will add to their squad before the 11pm deadline tonight.
But no mega-money swoop for Carrasco will occur, with Milan also unable to get a deal done for the Belgium international.
Arsenal are also tipped to miss out on a deal for Ivan Perisic unless late negotiations with Inter Milan lead to an unlikely breakthrough.
Inter are willing to offload Perisic and the player has handed in a transfer request.
But Inter want to sell now - or at least earn a loan fee for his exit - and Arsenal are not willing to spend big at this stage of the season.