Premier League giants Arsenal have been boosted with the news that top four rivals Chelsea have pulled out of the race to sign Lille forward Nicolas Pepe.
This is coming on the back of the first major transfer in the current January transfer window which saw Chelsea splash £57.6m on American forward Christian Pulisic.
The West Londoners have secured his transfer from German Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund though the player has been sent back to the club on loan until the end of the season.
The 20-year-old is now the third most expensive player in the history of Chelsea after the Spanish duo of Kepa Arrizabalaga and misfiring striker Alvaro Morata.
Footballfancast revealed that the Blues were in the running for the previously mentioned Pepe before they opted for Christian Pulisic.
Arsenal and Chelsea were in for in-form Pepe until the latest development left the Gunners as clear favourites to sign the Ivorian international attacker.
Pepe has been in sensational form for Lille in the top flight of French football this season after netting 12 goals and providing seven assists in 19 league games.
Lille has slapped a €72m transfer fee on the 23-year-old and that could be the stumbling block after the threat from Chelsea was removed.
