Arsenal confirm signing of Lille winger Nicolas Pepe

Arsenal have confirmed the club record signing of Lille winger Nicolas Pepe for £72million on a five-year deal.

Pepe, who signed a five-year-deal, takes over from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as the most expensive player in the club's history.

The Gunners beat off competition from Napoli to land the Lille winger in a deal which will see them spread the payments over the full term of his contract.

Welcome to The Arsenal, Nicolas Pepe 🤩

🇨🇮 #PepeIsHere ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/nXJIB9XdLW

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 1, 2019

The 24-year-old Ivory Coast star will now link straight up with Unai Emery's squad and could make his first appearance as soon as on Sunday against Barcelona.

The Gunners had first tried to prise on Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha to provide the extra attacking edge the manager was after, but their initial bid of £40m was laughed away by Palace who were demanding double that - a figure Arsenal just could not go to.