Arsenal have announced the signing of Lille forward Nicolas Pepe in a club-record deal reported to be worth £72million (£80m).
Pepe was linked with Paris Saint-Germain, Napoli and Champions League winners Liverpool after a breakthrough 2018-19 season.
The Ivory Coast attacker scored 22 Ligue 1 goals last term and supplied 11 assists to catch the eye of Europe s elite clubs.
But it is Arsenal who have landed the 24-year-old, who eclipses Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as the club s record signing.
Nicolas is a highly-rated and talented winger who was wanted by many of the top teams in Europe, Gunners head coach Unai Emery told his club s official website.
Signing a top-class winger has been one of our key objectives in this transfer window and I m delighted he s joining.
He will add pace, power and creativity, with the aim of bringing more goals to our team.
Welcome to The Arsenal, Nicolas Pepe
— Arsenal (@Arsenal)
Pepe s capture is a coup for Arsenal, given they failed to qualify for the Champions League last term and he is their fourth addition ahead of 2019-20.
After Brazilian youngster Gabriel Martinelli signed earlier in the close season, Dani Ceballos joined on loan from Real Madrid and William Saliba signed from Saint-Etienne, although the defender will remain in Ligue 1 on loan this season.