Arsenal close to confirming €80m deal for Nicolas Pepe

Lille striker was second highest scorer behind Kylian Mbappe in France last season

Arsenal are preparing to announce Nicolas Pepe as their record signing after agreeing personal terms with the Lille forward on a five-year contract.

The Premier League club are to pay €80 million plus add-ons for the Ivory Coast international. Once the final details are settled and a medical taken, Arsenal expect to confirm Pepe’s arrival.

Napoli were among other clubs who had hoped to buy the 24-year-old, who is left-footed but prefers to play on the right side of a front three.

Pepe scored 22 goals in the French league last season, second to Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe, and provided 11 assists.

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Arsenal's record fee is the €63.7 million paid to buy Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund in January 2018. – Guardian