Lille's Ivorian forward Nicolas Pepe celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Amiens and Lille at the Licorne stadium in Amiens, northern France, on August 26, 2018. (Photo by FRANCOIS LO PRESTI / AFP) (Photo credit should read FRANCOIS LO PRESTI/AFP/Getty Images) — Lille's Ivorian forward Nicolas Pepe celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Amiens and Lille at the Licorne stadium in Amiens, northern France, on August 26, 2018. (Photo by FRANCOIS LO PRESTI / AFP / Getty Images)

Arsenal Gossip

Arsenal make Nicolas Pepe a ‘priority’ signing: Lille lining up replacement

Dec 4, 2018

Arsenal have made Lille winger Nicolas Pepe a priority signing, with the Ligue 1 club already lining up a replacement, according to reports in France.

3Malcom

BARCELONA, SPAIN – AUGUST 15: Malcom of FC Barcelona runs with the ball during the Joan Gamper Trophy match between FC Barcelona and Boca Juniors at Camp Nou on August 15, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Age: 21
Position: Right Winger
Contract until: 2023
Club: FC Barcelona
Estimated transfer value: £40.5m

It’s been difficult to write an article about Arsenal-linked wingers in the last year without mentioning Malcom at some stage.

Back in January, when Malcom was still playing for Bordeaux, the media heavily linked both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur to the Brazilian. Then in the summer, the same links reappeared again, but the player ended up moving to FC Barcelona instead.

You’d think that would be the end of it, but Malcom’s limited game time since his move means that’s not the case.

After playing just 25 minutes of football by late October, Barcelona chief executive Oscar Grau was reportedly under the impression that the player would be sold. There were also stories in the Spanish media suggesting the 21-year-old had already requested a transfer assuming his game time wouldn’t improve.

However, the winger did then get into the Barcelona team, making a start in the cup and scoring in a brief Champions League appearance. Unfortunately, that was followed by an early substitution after just 57 minutes in his first league start, whilst 2-0 down to Real Betis.

We’ll have to wait and see if that damages his future chances at the club. If it does, it seems like Arsenal will be waiting.

Click ‘Next’ for more Arsenal-linked wingers ahead of the January window

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