Arsenal will break their transfer record for the first time in two years when they sign Nicolas Pepe from French Ligue 1 outfit Lille this week.
The Gunners have already agreed a deal worth €80m (£72m) for him to potentially make him throw most expensive player in the history of the club.
The current recipient is Gabonese international striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang whom Arsenal paid £57m to secure his signing from German Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund.
In addition, Nicolas Pepe would also be the most expensive African player beating the £65m transfer of DR Congo international striker Cedric Bakambu from Spanish La Liga side Villarreal to Beijing Guoan FC of China.
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Ivorian international attacker Pepe will sign a five-year contract with Arsenal at the end of his medical this week.
Arsenal will pay just £20m upfront for Pepe according to experienced journalist Charles Watts of Goal with the remaining £52m shared over the next four years.
Nicolas Pepe became one of the most sought-after players on the European football scene after his sensational season for Lille.
He was undoubtedly one of the best players in the French Ligue 1 last season.
The Ivorian winger scored 23 goals in all competitions last season including 22 goals in the league.
