Arsenal face more competition to sign PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo as Nicolas Pepe edges closer to sealing a loan move to OGC Nice.
The Gunners are focused on moving on a number of fringe players from Mikel Arteta's squad, with Bernd Leno and Lucas Torreira already having left on permanent deals. Nicolas Pepe's agent was spotted attending Nice's game against Strasbourg last weekend and football.london understands the 27-year-old is close to a loan move to join the Ligue 1 outfit.
football.london understands Arsenal hold a long-term interest in Gakpo but a move for the Dutch starlet could prove difficult due to his desire to play regular first team football ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Manchester United view Gakpo as a potential target should they fail to lure Ajax star Antony to Old Trafford, though a new Premier League rival has entered the race for the Netherlands international.
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According to Foot Mercato, Nottingham Forest have now made a move for PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo their ‘absolute priority’. Arsenal may look to accelerate their efforts to secure a deal for Gakpo with United and Forest both interested in the 23-year-old, with Pepe looking likely to return to France this summer.
The Gunners are thought to be willing to heavily subsidise Pepe's wages and allow the Ivorian international to join Nice on a season-long loan deal. With Pepe set to leave the club for the 2022/23 campaign, it opens up room in Arteta's squad for a new winger to make the move to the Emirates Stadium before the transfer window closes.
Pedro Neto is one player the Gunners could turn to should they be beaten to the signing of Gakpo, but the Dutch star's ability to play at centre-forward and on either wing makes him an attractive option. The 23-year-old has hinted that a move away from PSV may hinge upon whether the Dutch outfit qualifies for the Champions League proper, after they drew 2-2 in the first leg of the crucial final play-off qualifying round against Rangers.
PSV have set a transfer price of €40million-€45million (£34million-£38million) for Gakpo to leave the club this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano. Speaking to the Sun back in April, the Dutch starlet was honest in his admiration for English football and Arsenal. He said: "The Premier League is a big league. Virgil van Dijk plays there with Liverpool so I like to watch them.
"We are not the same kind of league but I think we try to look at the Prem and learn about it. Everybody wants to play one time in the Prem.
"I don’t favour one team but I like Arsenal a lot. I looked up to Henry when I was younger because he was a tall guy who played on the wing."
It remains to be seen whether Edu will look to negotiate a deal for Gakpo or look at alternative targets with Pedro Neto also linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium. 90min reported this week that the Portuguese star has been offered to Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United and is available to sign for the right price this summer.
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