Arsenal lead race for Pepe

According to L’Equipe, Arsenal are at the forefront of the chase to sign Lille winger Nicolas Pepe. The 23 year old has been on fire in Ligue 1 so far this season, with some even suggesting that he’s been the best midfielder in the entire division. Regardless of whether or not that’s true, though, it seems as if Lille won’t be able to keep hold of him forever as Nicolas moves closer and closer towards a move elsewhere.

They’re resigned themselves to the fact that he’ll be leaving, and they’re said to be interested in opening negotiations. Arsenal would likely be the first club who would get the honour of opening those negotiations, and it’s believed that it would cost £45 million to bring him over to the Emirates.

The same would be true of anywhere that he goes, but the big question that remains is whether or not the Gunners, and Unai Emery in particular, are willing to stump up that kind of cash.