Premier League transfer news: Pepe, Sane, Dybala, Kamano, Alderweireld, Tierney

Premier League transfer gossip and rumours

It’s official: Pepe’s a Gunner

Arsenal have completed the signing of Nicolas Pepe in what the papers are describing as a £72m deal.

According to BBC Sport, the 24-year-old Ivory Coast winger has signed a five-year contract having scored 35 goals in 74 Ligue 1 appearances for Lille.

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“Being here is very emotional,” said Pepe. “I have come a long way and struggled a lot and so signing for this great club is a big reward.

“It was important to make the right decision and I am convinced that Arsenal is the right choice.”

In penning the deal, Pepe becomes the fourth most expensive signing in Premier League history after the Manchester United pair of Paul Pogba (£89m) and Romelu Lukaku (£75m), and Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk (£75m).

In announcing the arrival of Pepe, Arsenal boss Unai Emery remarked: “He will add pace, power and creativity, with the aim of bringing more goals to our team.”

Tierney deal close?

The Daily Express claims that Arsenal are preparing to make a final all-out bid to bring Kieran Tierney to the Emirates.

The Celtic left-back has already been the subject of two failed offers from the Gunners but according to the Express they are close to selling Krystian Bielik to Derby County.

Apparently new Rams boss Philip Cocu is willing to fork out £10m on the Polish defensive midfielder and that money will be used by Arsenal to fund the new and improved Tierney bid.

Insane sum for Sane

If Bayern Munich want to finally get their hands on Leroy Sane it’s going to cost them £145m, claims The Sun.

The paper says that the German giants’ pursuit of the Manchester City winger has “become increasingly fractious in recent days”, to such an extent that the Sky Blues have filed an official letter of complaint at Bayern’s behaviour.

That’s not to say City won’t sell the 23-year-old, particularly since it’s alleged Sane wants to return to his homeland. But their asking price is between £135m and £145m, which as the Sun points out would make Sane “in the top three of the most expensive transfers ever”.

Liverpool track Kamano

Liverpool are poised to make a late bid for Bordeaux frontman Francois Kamano, reports The Sun, with the paper claiming that Reds boss Jurgen Klopp sees the 23-year-old as good enough to “provide cover for his attack”.

The Guinea international has impressed in France and Klopp believes he could allow the club to mount a double challenge on the Champions League and Premier League by easing the burden on Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.

Kamano comes with a £20m price tag and the Sun says the Reds are likely to offer Bordeaux £15m up front and £5m in add-ons.

Alderweireld’s future uncertain

AS Roma have not given up on a move for Tottenham centre-back Toby Alderweireld, reports Sky Sports, although the 30-year-old Belgium international will now cost the Italians more than £25m.

That was his price, explains Sky Sports, “until a release clause in his contract expired last Friday”, and as a result he could be sold by Spurs for a lot more.

The Lilywhites have yet to receive any offers for Alderweireld, but it’s believed they are open to offers that are suitably exorbitant.

Fight for Fernandes

The money made on any Alderweireld sale could be used to pinch Bruno Fernandes from under the noses of Manchester United, claims the Daily Mirror.

Apparently talks between the Red Devils and the Sporting Lisbon playmaker have stalled, and at the same time Spurs have failed to prise Giovani Lo Celso from Real Betis.

As a result, says the Mirror, Tottenham have turned their attention to Fernandes and they are willing to match Sporting’s £45m asking price.

Dybala in doubt?

The Independent reports that Manchester United’s move for Juventus striker Paulo Dybala is “hanging in the balance”. United are struggling to strike an agreement with Dybala’s representatives and this putting the deal with Juventus for Romelu Lukaku under severe threat.