Arsenal boss Unai Emery has given a transfer update, naming Lille winger Pepe but missing out on Kieran Tierney.
On Saturday night the latest ‘Sky sources understand’ story emerged alongside claims that the negotiations were ongoing between the two clubs.
There has been constant speculation about Tierney for over a month but with just over a week left till the EPL transfer window closes a deal seems no more likely.
Tierney hasn’t played any sort of football since April with no date set for when he is likely to return to action as he recovers from a double hernia operation and his ongoing Osteitis pubis issue.
Discussing his transfer plans Emery told the Daily Record: “We are working the club and also thinking how we can improve. They have different players on the table with the possibility we can achieve their signature. And Pepe is a very good player and also we are thinking only players who really really improve this squad and also give us some different conditions for improvement.
“And the same, we are working for the last few weeks and before the season starts, the first match in Newcastle, to get the best team with the best players in our squad.”
Specifically on positions he added: “We are deciding how we can improve. At the beginning we were thinking only to do player but only if we can really improve in this position. One centre-back, one full-back and one winger.
“We are going to do that and are thinking the same. Really I want one team better than last year with players who can achieve to add to us this season. We have a very good team. Only players who can improve the squad.”
Arsenal are reported to have offered Lille £72m for Pepe but the French side have still to accept the bid with concerns over how the offer is structured.
Yesterday Tierney’s former team-mate Moussa Dembele scored twice as Lyon beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates..