Arsenal have been linked with a remarkable £72million bid for Lille forward Nicolas Pepe.
However, supporters eagerly awaiting the addition of a marquee wide attacker are set to be disappointed.
football.london understands that Arsenal have not bid for Pepe, contrary to reports in France.
The Ivory Coast international has long been of interest to the Gunners but the club hierarchy have come to the conclusion that he is outside their price range.
Pepe is expected to depart Lille this summer and has been linked with Liverpool and Bayern Munich.
The 24-year-old scored 22 goals and provided 11 assists in Ligue 1 last season, dramatically increasing his profile and price tag, the latter to a level Arsenal cannot currently afford. Lille owner Gerard Lopez has publicly confirmed it could take up to £72m to sign Pepe.
Arsenal’s current budget is just £45m and they have already found themselves priced out of the pursuit of Wilfred Zaha of Crystal Palace, who are reluctant to accept the cash plus players bid that represents the Gunners’ realistic avenue to completing a deal this summer.
Meanwhile the Gunners are sweating on their pursuit of William Saliba after Tottenham entered proceedings at the 11th hour.
Arsenal had agreed a £25m deal with Saint-Etienne that will see the 18-year-old centre-back loaned back to the club next season but Spurs have also entered the fray. Should they reach an agreement with the French side it will be up to Saliba to decide who he signs for.
