Arsenal chase £43million Porto winger Pepe who has thrived since Luis Diaz transfer
Brazilian winger Pepe has impressed at Porto since Luis Diaz was sold to Liverpool - and looks to have caught Premier League interest after setting up their title-winning goal
Arsenal are reportedly chasing a deal to sign £43million-rated Porto winger Pepe after his impressive performances since Luis Diaz's exit.
Porto sold Diaz to Liverpool during the final days of the January transfer window and had a ready made replacement in the form of 25-year-old Brazilian Pepe. The winger has scored three goals and added four assists since Diaz's departure, catching the attention of the Gunners.
Portuguese outlet A Bola now report that Arsenal are targeting a summer move for the forward off the back of his performances during the second half of this season as Mikel Arteta prepares for next season.
Pepe, who has four years remaining on his Porto deal, could be available for as little as £43million due to a release clause in his contract.
He only arrived in Portugal last summer, signing from Brazilian side Gremio for £13.5million, and has gone on to score a total of six goals with a further five assists in 40 appearances.
His tally includes scoring against Maritimo the same day Diaz was sold to Liverpool and assisting the stoppage time winner against Benfica on Saturday which clinched the title for Porto.
The former Brazilian under-23 international is capable of playing on both flanks and has even filled in at full-back for Sergio Conceicao's side this season, missing just one league match since the end of January.
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Pepe's potential arrival at the Emirates Stadium could spell the end for Arsenal's record signing and his namesake Nicolas Pepe after three years in north London.
Arsenal are understood to be willing to listen to offers for the Ivory Coast international this summer, having forked out £72million to sign him from Lille in 2019.
The 26-year-old has scored just once in the league this season and has been limited to just five Premier League starts, with his last coming in October.
He was also recently given a telling off by Arsenal assistant manager Albert Stuivenberg after missing an open goal during a match, as his time at the club nears its conclusion.