Bayern Munich are in pole position to sign Arsenal target Nicolas Pepe from Ligue 1 side Lille, reports le10sport.com.
The Gunners have been linked with a move for the Ivorian since the summer and had been rumoured to be closing in on Pepe in January.
However, a transfer failed to materialise as Lille retained the services of their star man as they continue their quest to finish second in France’s top tier.
With Pepe thriving, though, his price tag has increased significantly, with the 23-year-old netting 16 and assisting eight to return a WhoScored rating of 7.53.
As such, competition for Pepe’s signature has risen, with Barcelona and PSG both keeping tabs on the young winger.
Bayern, though, appear to have won the race to secure Pepe’s services as the Bavarian powerhouse prepare for life without Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery.
Robben is leaving the Bundesliga champions in the summer, while Ribery is expected to follow the Dutchman through the Allianz Arena exit.
And Bayern are now believed to be leading the way to sign Pepe as negotiations move in the right direction.
