Arsenal, Liverpool dealt blow as PSG enter talks with €80m winger

Oli Fisher

Arsenal have been dealt a huge blow in their pursuit of Lille star Nicolas Pepe, if the latest reports are to be believed.

Pepe has been heavily linked with the Gunners, as well as Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool after a stellar campaign in Ligue 1.

The French-Ivorian has hit the radar of numerous big club’s in Europe this year after hitting 21 goals and 12 assists in Ligue 1 this season.

Lille coach Christophe Galtier last month admitted it will be hard to keep the Ivory Coast sensation, but it appears that Arsenal may struggle to complete a deal.

Unai Emery is understood to be interested in Pepe, but recent reports claimed that the £69m asking price slapped upon the forward’s head could price them out of a deal.

Now, a report from Yahoo Sport claims that Paris Saint-Germain have dealt a huge blow to the Gunners by entering talks with Pepe.

The Ligue 1 giants have apparently commenced discussions over a possible £43m swoop this summer, however as mentioned his asking price is expected to be closer to £68.8m.

Bayern Munich are also apparently interested in the winger, and it is possible that they and PSG have an advantage in the race given that they can offer guaranteed Champions League football for next season at this point.

 

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