Nicolas Pepe 'turned down Liverpool for Arsenal'

Nicolas Pepe reportedly turned down the opportunity to join Liverpool in this summer's transfer window in favour of a switch to Arsenal.

The Gunners completed a club-record deal for the Ivory Coast international on Thursday, with the 24-year-old penning a five-year contract at the Emirates Stadium.

According to Get French Football News, Pepe had the opportunity to move to Anfield this summer but rejected the Merseyside club's offer due to a lack of assurances over his game time.

The report claims that Jurgen Klopp's side were unable to guarantee that the attacker would be a starter in the new season due to the presence of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane in the final third.

Pepe, who has become the fourth most expensive signing in Premier League history, scored 23 times and registered 12 assists in 41 appearances for Lille during the 2018-19 season.