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Report: Arsenal contact alleged long-term Newcastle target Nicolas Pepe’s agent

Angers' French midfielder Baptiste Santamaria (L) vies with Lille's Ivorian forward Nicolas Pepe (R) during the French L1 football match between A...
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Arsenal are reportedly keen on signing the winger who Newcastle United attempted to bring to England 18 months ago.

Lille's Ivorian forward Nicolas Pepe (L) vies with Angers' Ivorian defender Abdoulaye Bamba during the French L1 football match between Angers (SCO) and Lille (LOSC) on September 1, 2018,...

According to a report from French media outlet Le 10 Sport, Arsenal are tracking Lille winger Nicolas Pepe, a player who Newcastle tried to sign for £10 million in 2017.

The Gunners have already contacted the player’s agent, according to Le 10 Sport, and a bid of somewhere in the region of £30 million might just be enough to snare the 23-year-old.

According to a report from the Chronicle, Newcastle were close to signing Pepe in January 2017, but backed away from the deal after refusing to increase their initial £8 million offer for the winger by another £2 million.

The Ivory Coast international has been in fine form for Lille since joining them in the summer of 2017, chalking up an impressive 15 goals and eight assists in 42 appearances in all competitions.

LOSC Lille forward Nicolas Pepe from Ivory Coast (L) tries to escape FC Porto defender Alex Telles from Brazil (R) during the match between FC Porto v LOSC Lille for Algarve Football Cup...

He is undoubtedly a player who could go on to reach the very top, and if Arsenal manage to sign him for £30 million, it could prove to be a real coup for the north London outfit.

Newcastle, meanwhile, will surely be kicking themselves, having missed out on Pepe 18 months ago.

Lille's Ivorian forward Nicolas Pepe (R) celebrates with teammate Portuguese midfielder Xeka after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Lille OSC (LOSC) and Guingamp...