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Arsenal could be finally set to sign a winger in January, with the latest name to be linked being Nicolas Pepe, of Lille.
The 23-year-old is best known for playing as a right winger, and his form last season attracted some suitors, but the way he has started this campaign has really turned heads amongst European clubs. With Arsenal being one of them, according to reports.
This campaign has seen Pepe already score and assist three times in Ligue 1. Should this form continue you would expect a big club to make a serious bid in the January window.
Pepe’s known for his dribbling ability and end product, something the Gunners certainly miss in wide areas currently. Since Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott left, there has been a void of natural wide players and Pepe’s flair and pace would be a welcome addition.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Mesut Ozil, Aubameyang and Alex Iwobi have been used as wide options so far this season, but none of them are most comfortable in that position.
Pepe’s price tag is being mooted at around the £30million mark, which isn’t a huge amount in this market – but his performances between now and January will probably dictate what Lille demand.
He has already been capped 8 times for his country, Ivory Coast, scoring 3 goals.
This could be one to watch as Arsenal clearly need a winger and Arsenal scouts will surely be watching Ligue 1. Cristian Pavon is my preference in terms of signing a new winger, but Pepe also looks a talent and he has perhaps proven himself in a more challenging league already.