Emery delivers latest update on Pepe deal

Arsenal coach Unai Emery has said that the deal to sign Nicolas Pepe from Lille of Ligue One has not been closed yet.

“He played here in Angers a few years ago, and then in Lille. He has progressed as a player,” Emery told reporters after a pre-season friendly against the Ligue 1 side.

“We are speaking about a lot of players, we want to select on players who can really help us, give us big performances and improve our squad. We have different options. This one at the moment is not closed, but he is one we are following.

“We are working on the possibilities to sign players. We signed [Dani] Ceballos, and we have a possibility with Pepe. We are looking for the possibility to improve, but only if we can take more steps in the squad.

“Our target is to sign another player if he can really, really improve us. Our target is continuing to sign another player if we can.”

Emery also added that the club are trying to keep Koscielny, the club captain.

“He’s a very important player for us. We are speaking with him and with the team, about my responsibilities, the club’s responsibility and his responsibility,” the Arsenal boss said.

“With respect it’s better for us, it’s better for the team, and it’s changing our idea with the centre-back, because if he is here with us this season, it’s very different than if he isn’t with us. At the moment it’s a very personal decision, and we are respecting that.

“I am speaking with him and we are going to find the best solution, but overall we need a player like him. We want to be strong in our defensive line, working with the players we have now.”

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