Arsenal are close to signing Lille attacker Nicolas Pepe who has been linked with the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Napoli, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich this summer.

The Gunners had initially approached Crystal Palace for Wilfried Zaha but balked at an £80 million asking price.

It has now emerged, according to various reports, that the north Londoners are in advanced talks with Lille for Pepe with the deal said to involve a staggered payment structure for the €80 million fee.

The 24-year-old impressed with 22 goals and 12 assists in 38 Ligue 1 games last season, becoming one of the most sought-after young attackers in Europe. Only Kylian Mbappe scored more goals than Pepe in the French top flight last term.

Arsenal were said to have a budget of only £45m this summer but Pepe could be the fourth signing for them in this window.

Brazilian teenager Gabriel Martinelli arrived from Ituano before Dani Ceballos joined on loan from Real Madrid. They have also agreed a deal for centre-back William Saliba though he will be loaned back to Saint-Etienne for a season.