Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly battling Arsenal for Nicolas Pepe.
Lille forward Nicolas Pepe is in red-hot form this season – and new rumours suggest that his future may just lie in North London…it’s just a matter of which side.
Pepe, 23, joined Lille from Angers back in the summer of 2017, and enjoyed an outstanding first season with the club last term, notching 13 goals and four assists in Ligue 1.
The Ivorian has started this term in red-hot form too, smashing eight goals and five assists in 13 games, and it seems that Pepe will follow former Lille wingers Eden Hazard and Gervinho in making a big move away.
The Times now report that Arsenal are keen to bring in Pepe in January, but they face competition from their old rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who also want the wide man.
Pepe could have his pick of clubs in 2019, with many teams no doubt keen to sign him, but a move to Spurs could give them the perfect start to the new year after a difficult 2018.
With no summer additions at all, January signing Lucas Moura is the only addition Spurs have managed to make in 2018, and fans are desperate for new additions when the January window opens.
A winger may not be the most pressing issue for Spurs, but Pepe can give Mauricio Pochettino another exciting attacking option, whilst potentially freeing up Son Heung-min to play as more of a striker to cover for Harry Kane.
Add in that Pepe is one of Europe’s most exciting wingers and a deal would leave Arsenal raging, and swooping in to reunite the winger with international teammate Serge Aurier could just be the ideal start to 2019 after such a poor summer window.
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