Lille winger Nicolas Pepe has welcomed speculation linking him with Arsenal and a host of top European clubs but insists it is too soon for him to plan for next summer.
Pepe, 23, has been in superb form in Ligue 1 this season, scoring eight goals and providing seven assists in 13 games. That has inevitably led to interest from elsewhere and Arsenal are believed to have scouted the winger this season.
Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich have also been linked with the Ivory Coast international, who has been involved in more goals than either Neymar or Kylian Mbappe this season.
When asked to address those rumours Pepe kept his counsel, only saying that he was pleased to hear his name “A preference between Dortmund, Bayern or Arsenal?
“They’re all big clubs, I was not aware of these rumours, although it’s nice.”
He added: “Leave Lille at the end of the season? We do not even know what I’ll be doing tomorrow!”
Though Pepe would fill a gap for Arsenal, who have been short of natural width on the flanks since the likes of Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain moved on last season, the Gunners are not expected to be particularly active in the January market.
Their finances next summer will be partly dictated by whether Unai Emery’s side make the Champions League although new sponsorship deals with Adidas and Emirates that kick in in the 2019-20 season will help swell the coffers.
