Arsenal: Leaked footage shows Nicolas Pepe signing
Arsenal are expected to announce the signing of Pepe from Lille imminently, with the Ivory Coast international primed to complete a £72million move to the Emirates Stadium.
Express Sport understands the winger, who scored 22 goals from 38 Ligue 1 matches last term, will sign a five-year deal over in north London.
Despite that transfer, though, reports have claimed Arsenal are still keen on a move for Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha.
Unai Emery saw a bid fail for the forward earlier this summer but is still keen to add Zaha to his ranks for next season.
Many fans have been left to question, though, why the Gunners haven’t signed a centre-back this summer.
And PA journalist Mark Mann-Bryans has now provided an answer, revealing the club’s analysis department are the reason behind their thinking.
“Plenty have questioned all summer why a CB has not been top priority at #AFC given recent seasons,” he said.
“A: The club's analysis team pinpointed the need for more pace and skill in attack as the best way of improving poor away form, which is why Zaha & Pepe were targeted instead.”
Arsenal’s hopes of signing Zaha as well as Pepe hang in the balance.
Arsenal want to sign both Nicolas Pepe and Wilfried Zaha this transfer window (Image: GETTY)
Arsenal are expected to close the signing of Nicolas Pepe imminently (Image: GETTY)
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Palace want £70m to let their star man go and the Gunners don’t have the financial capability to pay that off in one go.
Meanwhile, Emery has admitted Arsenal are still working on transfers ahead of the deadline on August 8.
“We are working on the possibilities to sign players,” Emery said.
“We signed Ceballos, and we have a possibility with Pepe. We are looking for the possibility to improve, but only if we can take more steps in the squad.