Arsenal still want two more signings even if they complete the transfer of £72m Nicolas Pepe, according to reports.

Lille's Ivorian forward Nicolas Pepe reacts during the French L1 football match between Nîmes and Guingamp, on september 26, 2018 at the Costieres stadium in Nimes, southern France. (Photo by NICOLAS TUCAT / AFP)
Lille’s Ivorian forward Nicolas Pepe reacts during the French L1 football match between Nîmes and Guingamp, on September 26, 2018, at the Costieres stadium in Nimes, southern France. (Photo by NICOLAS TUCAT / AFP)

According to various reports, Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Lille winger Pepe this week, with only paperwork and medicals now standing in the way of a deal. The transfer is set to be for a club-record fee, despite talk of a restricted budget this summer.

Nonetheless, Arsenal’s business apparently doesn’t stop there. Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail reports that after fighting off the likes of PSG, Napoli and Manchester United for Pepe, the club still have a keen interest in signing Kieran Tierney and a centre-back.

Celtic left-back Tierney has already been the subject of two bids from Arsenal this window, both rejected by his club. The suggestion is that they’re weighing up a third now, which would hopefully get the deal over the line.

With William Saliba going back on loan to St. Etienne for the season and Laurent Koscielny going on strike, in addition to existing injuries to Konstantinos Mavropanos and Rob Holding, Arsenal could also do with a centre-back, at least temporarily.

There aren’t any strong links to anyone in the position at this point. However, it seems Arsenal are aware of the need to make a signing at least.

If even two of the three above deals go through, it would be an excellent window for the club.