Three-time European champions Manchester United tried to sign Nicolas Pepe before he joined Arsenal before the end of the Premier League transfer window according to French publication Le10 Sport.
It was revealed that Manchester United wanted to sign the Ivorian international star with the funds from the sale of Romelu Lukaku.
The Lukaku transfer was not completed until Wednesday which was days after Pepe signed for Arsenal.
Nicolas Pepe joined Arsenal from French Ligue 1 outfit Lille after the two teams agreed a deal of around €80m (£72m) for him.
Arsenal will pay the said agreement for Pepe installmentally.
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The Gunners will pay £20m in the first year before £13m is paid for each of the next four years afterwards.
Nicolas Pepe is the most expensive signing in the history of Arsenal ahead of the former recipient Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who joined Arsenal from German Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund for £56m in January 2018.
In addition, Pepe is also the most expensive signing for an African player.
The 24-year-old also had an interest from Spanish giants Atletico Madrid who offered more money than the Gunners according to the aforementioned publication.
Other major European sides like Paris Saint Germain (PSG), Liverpool and Napoli were also interested in signing him.
