Report: Arsenal Table €50m Offer For Ligue 1 Star

According to the reliable Italian reporter Nicolo Schira, Arsenal have made a move for Lille’s Nicolas Pepe…

Arsenal have tabled a €50million offer for Lille winger Nicolas Pepe which has fallen short of the Ligue 1 side’s valuation with the club reluctant to lose him in January, according to Italian reporter Nicolo Schira.

#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

Pepe has been heavily linked with us since the closure of the summer transfer window and is operating in a position we’re severely lacking in.

The Ivorian has attracted following a sensational first half of the season in France, netting 12 times and firing Lille to second in the table.

His sensational dribbling skills and the sheer pace has seen Europe’s top clubs circulate around the 23-year-old, though according to the report, we’ve made the first move.

Lille have previously stated that Pepe wouldn’t be sold in January, yet it’s difficult to tell if that’s a serious stance or a ploy to maximise his worth.

According to the La Gazzetta Dello Sport reporter, we have a backup plan in place in case this moves breaks down in the form of Roma starlet Cengiz Under.

The two share two similar traits, left-footed wingers playing on the right who love taking opponents on.

If these two names are under consideration, one would imagine Sven Mislintat has been instructed to compile a list of players for that specific position.

We’re desperately in need of pace in wide areas and as our rivals engage in an arms race for wingers, it’s time we added to our arsonal.