Arsenal to seal fourth summer signing, medical scheduled for 24-year-old winger

Arsenal are reportedly on the cusp of signing of Nicolas Pepe from Lille with the attacker expected to undergo a medical with the club in the next few days.

The 24-year-old emerged as a transfer target for the Gunners earlier last week and things have since moved quickly with the north London club finalising a club-record deal worth £72m with Lille.

According to Sky Sports News, the Ivorian will now go through a series of medical tests with the Gunners and a deal could be announced this week with the personal terms remaining a formality.

For most of the summer, Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha appeared the prime target to strengthen the wider attacking department and the Gunners even made an offer worth £40m, which was turned down by the Eagles.

Thereafter, it was indicated that the club may not match the Eagles’ £80m price tag for the Ivorian and in a surprise change of events, they have moved to secure an agreement for compatriot Pepe from Lille.

While there is just a £8m fee separating the valuations of both players, the Gunners are said to have finalised the deal for Pepe through a series of instalments, something which the Eagles may not have agreed on.

At the age of 24, Pepe offers the Gunners with a long-term prospect on the right side of the attack while he also provides with a goalscoring threat, which has not been the case with the wide players within the club’s ranks.

Pepe, who contributed 23 goals and 12 assists for Lille last term, will be expected to feature ahead of the likes of Alex Iwobi and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who have lacked the cutting edge when it comes to their finishing.

Pepe is set to become Arsenal’s fourth purchase of the summer transfer window following the arrivals of forward Gabriel Martinelli, midfielder Dani Ceballos and defender William Saliba.