Arsenal transfer news: Nicolas Pepe announcement imminent, Emile Smith Rowe latest, inquiry for Issa Diop

Transfer round-up: The latest stories from the Emirates on Thursday 1 August

Nicolas Pepe’s £72m move to Arsenal is expected to be announced this evening after a number of “administrative details” held up proceedings.

According to RMC Sport in France, Lille will confirm the transfer before 6pm.

The Ivory Coast international jetted in to London on Tuesday and was pictured at the club’s training ground where he underwent a medical and penned personal terms.

More than 48 hours have passed but Lille Director General Ingla has alleviated concerns of a late change in plan, saying: “It is normal. There are administrative details.”

The French side’s president, Gerard Lopez, also said: “I think it should be [made official] in the next 24 hours. It is €80m (£72m) fixed. If we pushed this deal out a little bit longer, we could have had five or six offers of the same size.

“Through discussions with Nico and his agents, the situation focused on the certain clubs that we wanted to focus on: the two projects that interested the player.”

Reports claim Arsenal are paying just £20m up front for Pepe this summer, with the rest paid in instalments over the next five years.

Meanwhile, Wolfsburg hope to complete a season-long loan move for Arsenal starlet Emile Smith Rowe this week after positive discussions with the club.

The 19-year-old has made a successful recovery from a groin injury that hampered his six-month loan spell at RB Leipzig last season and Arsenal are keen that he gets more first-team minutes to continue his development.

Wolfsburg, who finished sixth in the Bundesliga last season and will compete in this year’s Europa League, are frontrunners to sign the academy graduate, however, Werder Bremen have also made an attractive approach which is under consideration by Arsenal.

Arsenal flop Takuma Asano is set to leave the club to join to Partizan Belgrade in a £1m deal, having failed to secure any game time during his three years in north London.

The Japanese star, 24, has signed a three-year deal at the Serbian side with the £1m fee split into three separate instalments.

The Gunners spent £3.5m on Asano back in 2016.

Lastly, Arsenal have reportedly made an inquiry into the availability of West Ham’s Issa Diop.

Manager Unai Emery is eager to sign a centre-back and bolster his defensive options before the transfer window closes, with captain Laurent Koscielny expected to leave the club after nine years of service.

According to Foot Mercato, the Hammers value 22-year-old Diop at £65m – a price which is likely to be out of Arsenal’s range given their current summer expenditure.