ClapThe summer transfer window has already provided us with a lot of really interesting talking points, and now that the domestic seasons over in Europe are on the verge of getting underway, it feels like some clubs are really starting to step it up in terms of the business that they’re doing. One such example is Arsenal who, as reported by BBC and Metro, are on the verge of completing the signing of Nicolas Pepe from Lille for a fee believed to be around £72 million.
That number immediately jumps off the page as one of the crucial factors of this deal, because that isn’t all too far off of the figure that Crystal Palace wanted for Wilfried Zaha. While we still think there’s an outside chance of the Gunners landing the Ivory Coast international, it certainly feels like this was a very clear and direct message from them in regards to what they’re aiming to do during the transfer window.
A big step forward
In terms of Pepe himself, he certainly seems like the kind of player that could do some really big things for the club. At the age of just 24 he still has a lot of time left to improve and grow, and with the new season being right around the corner, we tend to believe he’s going to get off to an absolute flyer in the Premier League.
Regardless of who it may be we do not believe that this is going to be the last time Arsenal spend big money this summer, which is a funny thing to say, because this proposed deal supposedly hasn’t even gotten over the finish line yet. Alas, while it may seem like a big risk to spend this kind of money on a player that is proven in France and not England, you can’t deny that it’s a gutsy move from the club.
Considering how much we’ve heard in recent months about how they’re unwilling to sell, it really does feel like they’re starting to listen to the fans in a big way now. We don’t know what that’s going to mean for them moving forward and we don’t even know if this ‘honeymoon’ period is going to last beyond the next few weeks, but the complaints are certainly starting to settle down which can only be a good thing.
Nowhere to hide?
Pepe may have some pressure on his shoulders at his new club, but there’s no reason for him to be afraid of that. He has the world at his feet in a squad that, in many ways, is set up perfectly for him. He’ll be given the license to surge forward, and when playing alongside the likes of Aubameyang and Lacazette, it’s hard not to get too excited about how much potential there is.
So for Arsenal fans out there, we’d recommend some cautious optimism as we await the official confirmation of this deal being pushed through by the club.
P.S: do Arsenal have the best attacking line-up in English football now?
