London Football News

Pepe hints at potential move from Lille this summer

Arsenal transfer target Nicolas Pepe has suggested that he could leave Lille at the end of the season.

Manchester City have also been linked with the Ivory Coast winger, as have Barcelona.

Pepe, who can play through the middle as well as out wide, has caught the eye with his performances in France.

The 23-year-old has been earmarked as a potential replacement for Danny Welbeck, who is expected to leave the Emirates Stadium when his Arsenal contract expires at the end of the season.

Pepe would not be cheap – he is under contract until 2022 and Lille have strongly indicated that they are unwilling to sell him during the approaching transfer window.

But he has been widely tipped to move during the summer window, with several top clubs believed to be monitoring him.

“Finish the season at Lille … Yes, that’s true,” he told French newspaper Le Voix du Nord, as reported by the Daily Star.

“As the president has already said, my desire is to finish the season at Lille, and then we’ll see.

“I have a contract until 2022. My idea is to finish this season with Lille. And, why not, start the next in Europe … it would be beautiful.”




Skip to toolbar