After a slow start, Arsenal's summer transfer strategy has come alive.
Following deals to sign Gabriel Martinelli, a loan move to bring Dani Ceballos from Real Madrid and an agreement to sent William Saliba back to Saint-Etienne for another season, they are set to sign Nicolas Pepe from Lille.
Not only would the Ivorian arrive to upgrade their right flank but after turning down Napoli, a transfer to strengthen the Gunners could end up severely disrupting the plans of their rivals, Tottenham Hotspur.
Giovani Lo Celso has been a top taget for Spurs all summer, with the player having already been won over on the idea of working for Mauricio Pochettino.
He was initially linked with the club as a replacement of sorts to Christian Eriksen but with the Dane's options dwindling, the Argentinian could be signed to add quality and depth behind Harry Kane.
Unfortunately for Tottenham, Napoli's failure to convince Pepe to move to Naples over north London could cause Spurs a headache.
Carlo Ancelotti's side are now in the running to sign Lo Celso according to Calciomercato.
That has left Arsenal giddy over the prospect of refining their forward options while depriving Spurs of a player they had identified as an important signing this summer.
Real Betis are holding out for a club record fee for Lo Celso after having already signed Nabil Fekir from Lyon this summer.
The Frenchman is expected to replace the Argentinian in the club's system with Spurs heavily-linked with the attacking midfielder.
It remains to be seen whether Napoli can deny Tottenham the chance to sign the former Paris Saint-Germain player.
