Arsenal are still interested in signing Nicolas Pepe from Lille and the French club are prepared to receive offers for the player in June.

Lille's Ivorian forward Nicolas Pepe celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Lille (LOSC) and Olympique Lyonnais (OL) on December 1, 2018 at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Villenueve d'Ascq. (Photo by FRANCOIS LO PRESTI/AFP/Getty Images)
Lille’s Ivorian forward Nicolas Pepe celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Lille (LOSC) and Olympique Lyonnais (OL) on December 1, 2018 at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Villenueve d’Ascq. (Photo by FRANCOIS LO PRESTI/AFP/Getty Images)

Lille, it seems, are resigned to losing Pepe in the summer window after holding on to him in January. They’ve been looking around for replacements, with Krzysztof Piatek and Luka Jovic amongst those being linked.

Pepe-to-Arsenal does, however, seem unlikely. He’s being watched by Manchester City for a start and if they decide to make a move there is no way Arsenal can compete – either in fee, wages or trophy potential.

The other main side linked with his signature? Barcelona.

Lille need to sell according to Mundo Deportivo in order to balance their books so a bargain might be available but that seems unlikely when you have such big hitters in the mix.

190209 mundo deportivo pepe
Mundo Deportivo 9 February 2019

The Ligue 1 side, despite their need for cash, are still expecting to bring in over €50m for Pepe.