Arsenal receive major boost in race for Lille ace

Arsenal have received a boost in their hunt for Lille ace Nicolas Pepe with the chairman of the French club Gerard Lopez confirming the forward will be sold this summer.

It’s believed Lille want around €50million (£43m) for the 23-year-old, and Lopez’s comments suggest clubs have already spoken to the Ligue 1 side over a possible transfer.

“It is certain, he will leave,” Lopez said.

“He has moved into a price range that we can not afford anymore. There is a career choice to make for him, I think he will have the choice.”

Meanwhile, Timo Werner has rejected a new deal at RB Leipzig as he gets set for a summer transfer.

Werner has been linked with Bayern Munich and Liverpool this year after impressing for Leipzig.

The Germanys star has 60 goals in 108 appearances since 2016 and will enter the final 12 months of his deal this summer.

Mintzlaff told Sky Germany: “We want to extend it with him, but he has signalled to us that he would rather not extend.”