Expected to be one of the early transfers of the summer window, Nicolas Pépé’s saga dragged on until after Africa Cup of Nations, with the Ivory Coast eventually signing for Arsenal.
Choosing the Gunners himself over other offers, the forward will now team up with Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in Unai Emery’s attack, which has got club fans salivating at the idea.
His now former club, Lille, explained it was the player’s decision to choose the Emirates as his next destination, and, in doing so, he cost his club a bit of money by refusing a couple of other offers that exceeded that of Arsenal’s, including one from Manchester United.
According to Le10 Sport, both United and Atlético Madrid’s bids were over of €80m, with the former’s even exceeding €90m.
However, the delays in their sale of Romelu Lukaku, with Inter taking their time to put forward a satisfying offer, cost them the transfer, as they ‘couldn’t make the move’ they wanted.
It’s also worth pointing out Manchester United’s offer was never ‘official’, merely ‘oral’, as they were planning on using the money from the Belgian’s sale to fund Pépé’s arrival.
Blame Inter, to be honest.
