Chelsea are ready to complete the signing of Nicolas Pepe as a replacement for Eden Hazard, after Lille confirmed the winger would be on the move this summer.
Chelsea may be facing a transfer ban and unable to sign players for the next two transfer window, but that has not stopped the club eyeing up possible deals just in case FIFA decide to overturn or postpone the ban, which is what the Blues are seriously hoping for.
And despite having the likes of Olivier Giroud and Gonzalo Higuaín on the books at Stamford Bridge, Blues boss Maurizio Sarri is seeking a more long-term solution to his goal-scoring problems and has been linked with the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Mauro Icardi over the past few months.
But another name that has been mentioned about a possible move to London is that of Pepe, as the 23-year-old Pepe is among the most highly-rated forwards in Europe and his transfer value is estimated at more than 50 million euros (£57 million).
Pepe has scored 19 goals in 33 appearances in all competitions this season and has been tipped to become one of the most deadly strikers in the game, with Arsenal boss Unai Emery a big fan.
But according to reports on the Daily Mirror, Chelsea are ready to swoop in and try to sign the long-term Gunners contract with a massive offer of £70 million, £13 million more than what Arsenal would have to pay to secure a transfer deal.
Chelsea were handed a massive boost in their chase to land the highly-sought after striker after Lille President Gerard Lopez announced that Pepe will indeed be sold this soming summer.
“Four or five players will leave this summer. Nicolas Pepe’s departure is certain,” Lopez told French soccer show Telefoot on Sunday.
“He’s entering a price (salary) range we can no longer pay. He will have a lot of choices.”
Pepe is showing great potential and is just the sort of young striker that could develop into something special, if he makes the right career move and the fact Chelsea are in desperate need for a top striker, it could be a perfect fit.
However, it all comes down to the fact that Chelsea are still facing this big transfer ban and if they cannot get it overturned, then they will miss out on a number of transfer targets this summer, not just Pepe.
Pepe is destined for the big time and his £57 million price tag could be a big investment for any club that signs him, it will just be a case of whom offers the club and the player the most, as money talks in football right now.