Arsenal have reportedly matched Napoli’s €80m offer for Nicolas Pepe, but are prepared to meet the Lille man’s personal demands.
“We’ve received offers that satisfy us in a financial sense from four clubs. (Napoli President Aurelio) De Laurentiis has met our asking price of €80m,” declared Lille President Gerard Lopez on Friday.
Arsenal have reportedly matched Napoli’s €80m offer for Nicolas Pepe, but are prepared to meet the Lille man’s personal demands.
“We’ve received offers that satisfy us in a financial sense from four clubs. (Napoli President Aurelio) De Laurentiis has met our asking price of €80m,” declared Lille President Gerard Lopez on Friday.
“Now it’s up to the player to decide where he wants to go, also based on the offers that his agents have received from the four clubs.
“Pepe will get back from his holiday on Monday and I believe he will make a decision in the middle of next week.”
The issue, as confirmed by Sky Sport Italia, Sportitalia, La Gazzetta dello Sport and more, is the large commission that Pepe’s agents want as part of the deal.
The Ivory Coast international is asking for at least €5m per year salary, but that doesn’t include the commission.
De Laurentiis is notoriously harsh in negotiations with agents, requiring all his players sign over their image rights and keeping commission to a minimum.
It could therefore be the big difference between Arsenal and Napoli in this deal.
Sky Sport Italia and Calciomercato.com report this morning that the Gunners are stepping up their efforts by matching the €80m asking price and a contract to 2024 also meeting his demands.
They'd fit this within their transfer budget by paying in installments, claim BBC Sport.