Premier League giants Arsenal are expected to make a major transfer coup in the coming days following the news that Lille winger Nicolas Pepe is closing in on a move to the club.
According to respected journalist David Ornstein of the BBC, Arsenal have won the race to sign Pepe and that the Gunners are finalizing a deal for the young Ivorian international star.
He added that a deal would be completed for the player in the next 24 to 48 hours.
Arsenal will pay a club-record fee of £72m for Nicolas Pepe in addition to a salary package of £4.5m on a yearly basis.
The North Londoners are also expected to pay close to £9m in agent commissions.
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Arsenal were initially linked with Pepe at the turn of the year before the interest waned during this summer’s transfer window.
The Gunners turned their attention to Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha in their attempt to sign a wing forward before the start of the season.
Arsenal returned to Nicolas Pepe after Crystal Palace insisted on £80m for Zaha.
The Gunners tabled an opening bid of £40m for the Ivorian winger.
Wilfried Zaha had openly stated that he supported Arsenal while he was a boy and the move appeals to him.
Everton and Chelsea have also been linked with the Crystal Palace star.