Arsenal must pay £72m to secure Nicolas Pepe transfer, say Lille
Boss Unai Emery will need to smash the club's transfer record if they are to land the talented Frenchman
LILLE chief Luis Campos has slapped a £72million price-tag on Arsenal target Nicolas Pepe.
Boss Unai Emery will need to smash the club’s transfer record if they are to land the talented Frenchman.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang remains the club’s most expensive ever player when he signed for £56m from Borussia Dortmund.
Pepe’s form in Ligue 1 has attracted the interests of Europe’s biggest clubs including Manchester City and Barcelona.
He has scored 12 goals in the league and is just one behind Kylian Mbappe who tops the scoring charts.
Lille know the interest in his signature means they can drive a hard bargain.
And they will certainly do that after Campos laughed off talk that they will sell him for £40m.
When asked about his price, he bluntly told Telefoot: “€80million (£72m). But [any club] will also have to convince the player.”
Emery is eager to bolster his front line and find a long-term replacement for Danny Welbeck.
The England striker, who is crocked long-term, is set to leave on a free at the end of the season when his contract expires.
Man City sparked interest in Pepe after the Prem champions sent scouts to watch the winger in action against Reims earlier this month.