Did You Know? 5 facts about Arsenal transfer target Nicolas Pepe

Despite the transfer window having closed on January 31, the rumour mill is forever in full swing with a host of players being touted for moves to new clubs in the upcoming summer.  

One of the stories which keeps appearing week after week is that linking Lille winger Nicolas Pepe with a move to Arsenal.

The 23-year-old has impressed for the French club since he joined in 2017 from Angers for a fee in the region of £8.8million.

Gunners boss Unai Emery has reportedly taken a keen interest in the prolific attacker as he aims to bolster his squad for the 2019/20 campaign.

But having only played his football to date in France, how much do you know about the man apparently high up on Arsenal’s hopping list?

Here Shoot shares five Nicolas Pepe facts we hope you can use to impress your mates, just in case he does make a switch to the Emirates Stadium.

Ivory International

Pepe on international duty against the Netherlands.

Despite being born in France, Pepe represents Ivory Coast – the birth-place of his parents – and was called into the senior squad just two seasons after turning professional. After making his debut in a friendly against birth nation France, he was included in the squad for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations. He failed to make an appearance but has since established himself as an important member of the squad, scoring his first goals for his country in a friendly against Togo in 2018.

Prolific Pepe

For a man that spends most of his playing time on the right flank, Pepe has an eye-catching record in front of goal. Since pulling on the Lille shirt for the first time he has scored 32 times in 69 matches. This season he is currently the second top scorer in Ligue 1 with 17 – eight behind Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe. The forward also has a decent record for the Ivory Coast with three goals in 10 caps.

Playmaker Pepe

Not just a man for the goals, Pepe lays on plenty for his teammates.

As well as goals, Pepe’s stats show he is also one of the best creators on the continent. The Ivory Coast international sits second in the Ligue 1 standings when it comes to assists with 8 – just one behind Angel Di Maria. However, three of the PSG man’s have come from dead balls while all of Pepe’s are from open play. The 23-year-old is bettering what was a very good first year at the club where he set-up eight goals for his teammates.

Big Break

Pepe in action for Angers against PSG in the 2017 French Cup final.

Despite making his professional debut in 2014, aged 18, it was a loan to Division 3 US Orleans in 2015/16 which helped Pepe reach the standard required to play top-level football on a regular basis. During his year at the club he scored seven times in 30 matches to help them achieve promotion to Ligue 2. Angers immediately put him into their first-team on a weekly basis the following year, where he played a big part in them reaching the French Cup final for the first time in 60 years. They were defeated 1-0 by PSG in the final but had written many headlines along the way.

Arsenal’s Competition 

Lille president Gerard Lopez has claimed Barcelona are keen on Pepe.

Worryingly for Gooners, it seems Arsenal aren’t the only club interested in Pepe. Following a blistering start to the season, Lille president Gerard Lopez said that Barcelona were tracking his star man. When asked if the reports linking Pepe, whose contract with the French club runs until 2022, with a switch to the Camp Nou, Lopez told RMC, “it is true.”