Arsenal confirm Pepe signing

Arsenal has announced winger Nicolas Pepe from Lille has been signed for a club-record fee reported at £72 million.

The deal will make the 24-year-old Ivorian the most expensive African player in the Premier League and Arsenal. The club spent £56 million on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in 2018 and signing Pepe this year will boost their attack.

Arsenal manager Unai Emery said:

“Nicolas is a highly rated and talented winger who was wanted by many of the top teams in Europe.

“Signing a top-class winger has been one of our key objectives in this transfer window and I’m delighted he’s joining.

“He will add pace, power and creativity, with the aim of bringing more goals to our team.”

Pepe was the second-highest goalscorer in Ligue 1 with 22 goals, just behind World Cup sensation Kylian Mbappe in the scoring charts.