New Arsenal signing Pepe snubbed Liverpool as Klopp would not offer him regular football despite his ‘enormous desire’ to buy him

ARSENAL'S record signing Pepe could have gone to Liverpool - but snubbed Jurgen Klopp because he would not promise him regular football.

The former Lille winger completed his £72million move yesterday and said he wants to form an unstoppable attacking trio with Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

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But he could have been rubbing shoulders with Mo Salah and Co given Klopp's "enormous desire" to buy him, according to reports.

French outlet L'Equipe said last week that the Anfield club were one of four to have bids accepted for Pepe.

But now claim they have been told Liverpool's "inability to offer Pepe consistent playing time brought an end to talks".

SunSport's exclusive poll reveals Pepe, 24, made the right choice, with fans judging Arsenal's front three better than the one that landed the Champions League last season.

Discussions between Lille and Liverpool were said to have never even reached an advanced stage.

That was not the case with Napoli, however, who reportedly were just hours away from sealing Pepe's signature.

Pepe now has his sights set on landing silverware for Unai Emery's side.

But he once said Chelsea were the only Premier League team he would join.

Pepe was playing for Angers when he claimed in 2017: "Chelsea is a club that would be a dream for me.

"It's the only club in England that I would sign for."

The Blues missed out on one of Europe's most in-demand stars, however, and now he is looking forward to creating a legacy.

Pepe said: "When I knew I was coming to Arsenal, I immediately thought of the French guys who play here.

"I thought of Özil, the world champions, Lacazette, Aubameyang and many more. Of course, these are the players who sprang to mind because I used to watch them when I was at Lille.

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"Also, Lacazette used to play for Lyon and so I have had the opportunity to play against him. It will be an honour to play alongside him.

“I have come a long way and struggled a lot — so signing for this great club is a big reward.

“It was important to make the right decision — and I am convinced Arsenal is the right choice.”