Pepe to become Arsenal player ‘in next 48 hours’ as £72m transfer nears end

ARSENAL are set to wrap up their £72million move for Lille star Nicolas Pepe in the next 48 hours, according to reports.

The Gunners agreed a fee with the Ligue 1 outfit two days ago, but talks with the winger's camp over personal terms were still ongoing.

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And that kept the doors open for Paris Saint-Germain to swoop in and hijack the deal at the 11th hour.

But French media outlets are now reporting that Arsenal have won the race for the Ligue 1 sensation.

Yahoo France have gone as far as proclaiming the deal done and dusted.

While Le10Sport and RMCSport say that Pepe, 24, will become a Gunner in the coming hours.

Arsenal are set to pay Lille £72m for the winger with extra add-ons also included in the deal.

The Ivorian is understood to have rejected Napoli even though the Italians were ready to meet the Ligue 1 side's financial demands, too.

Pepe was seen departing the USA earlier today with fans speculating he was flying straight to London.

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And his cousin had the Gunners faithful excited, mocking up an image of the winger in an Arsenal shirt.

The Lille star scored a staggering 23 goals and picked up 12 assists last season.

He is set to become Arsenal's record signing, eclipsing the £60m transfer of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.