As had been reported by numerous outlets over the course of the weekend, Arsenal FC has secured the acquisition of Lille winger Nicolas Pepe. The France to north London pipeline remains in effect, post Arsene Wenger, as the newest member of the Gunners is set to break the club transfer fee record!
Arsenal boss Unai Emery admitted yesterday that the club is pursuing Pepe, and trying to get a couple more deals done on top of this one in the final week and a half of the summer transfer window.
And Tuesday brought reports, from numerous outlets, that Nicolas Pepe is currently in London, to undergo his club medical and finalize the deal. It is expected that once everything is confirmed, signed, sealed and delivered, the club will make a formal, official announcement later in the week.
The BBC’s David Ornstein, known by many football fans as the oracle of Arsenal, posted this tweet about Pepe as well as some insights into further transfer market activity between now and the next 10 days. Apparently, Arsenal are still in for Kieran Tierney and looking to offload Shkodran Mustafi.
Arsenal in talks with number of clubs over Shkodran Mustafi exit. 27yo (contract until 2021) wants to stay + prove himself. But #AFC want permanent or loan departure. Also hope to bolster central defence pre-deadline & retain interest in Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney #CelticFC
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 30, 2019
Meanwhile, Sky Sports’ Fabrizio Romano says the Ts have been crossed and the Is dotted on this deal.
Pépé has signed and he’s new Arsenal player. ????? #AFC #Arsenal
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 30, 2019
It certainly took a very long time for Arsenal to emerge from their summer slumber this transfer window, but with Pepe becoming the third acquisition, in the words of the Joker: “here. we. go.”
With Dani Ceballos procured on loan, William Saliba signed and Pepe up next, it’s very reasonable to believe that more transactions will get over the line between now and August 8.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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