Arsenal have tabled a bid for Lille attacker Nicolas Pepe, according to Gazzetta dello Sport journalist Nicolo Schira.
The Italian reporter claimed via his personal Twitter account on Saturday that the Ligue 1 club want more than what the Gunners have so far offered for the in-form 23-year-old and that talks are ongoing between the concerned parties.
It is understood that if Arsenal cannot land the Lille goal machine, their alternative target is Roma’s Cengiz Under.
#Arsenal has offered €50M to #Lille for Nicolas #Pepe, but the french club wants more and wouldn't sell him in the January transfer window. #Emery insists. Talks ongoing to finalize the deal. The alternative remains Cengiz #Under (Roma). #transfers #AFC
— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) December 29, 2018
Good move for Arsenal?
Pepe has been in superb form for Lille this season, scoring 12 goals and supplying seven assists in 19 league appearances for the French side, but is he worth how much the Gunners are bidding for him?
£45million is a lot of money and Pepe is yet to really prove that he is ready to step up from a decent Ligue 1 club to a top Premier League one.
Yes, he is scoring goals for fun, but that is because he is the stand-out player for Lille whereas at Arsenal, he will have a much harder time of getting into the starting line-up, let alone getting on the scoresheet.
If the Gunners can seal an agreement with Lille that is no more than what they are bidding then it could be a decent signing, but they shouldn’t offer up much more.
This is Futbol rating 5/10
Likely to happen?
Arsenal need reinforcements in January, but their attack should be one of the least of Unai Emery’s concerns.
The Gunners’ defence has been woeful this season and Emery has to splash the cash on a top centre-back rather than adding another winger to his side.
This is Futbol rating 3/10