Arsenal have beaten Napoli to the signing of Nicolas Pepe after making a sizeable wage offer to the winger, according to one of the Lille star’s relatives.

Speaking to Ivorian news outlet Sport Mania, they were quoted as saying that a move to Serie A was close to being agreed before the Gunners came in with a last-ditch offer:

“After dismissing several clubs, Nicolas (Pepe) had the choice between Napoli and Arsenal. I will not lie to you: a total agreement was almost reached with Napoli. But Arsenal has been more convincing at the last word, both financially and at the level of the sports project.”

Pepe’s move to the Emirates is expected to be finalised imminently with the club expected to pay €80m (£72m), plus bonuses for the 24-year-old.

The likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, Liverpool, Manchester United and Bayern Munich have all been linked with the Ivorian international, but it appears only two bids had been accepted by Lille.

Pepe would become Arsenal’s record signing as and when the deal is confirmed. The highest fee the London club have ever paid was the £56m they spent on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the 2018 winter transfer window.