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.

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.

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.