Arsenal: £50m star 'on Arteta's list' as 'priority' emerges at the Emirates

Arsenal have made signing a replacement for the outgoing Nicolas Pepe a ‘priority’ and Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Pedro Neto is on a list of targets at the Emirates Stadium, according to Daily Star journalist Paul Brown.

The Gunners are in talks with French outfit Nice over a loan switch for Pepe and boss Mikel Arteta will have until the 11pm deadline on September 1 to draft in fresh faces.

According to The Athletic, Pepe’s departure would provide Arsenal with the opportunity to sign a new winger before the transfer market closes and Neto has been identified as the north Londoners’ top target.

The report suggests discussions over the three-cap Portugal international have been taking place for more than a month and agent Jorge Mendes has been liaising with the clubs separately.

Neto has revealed that he is flattered by the interest coming from the Emirates Stadium, but he remains fully focused on enjoying success with Wolves.

Arsenal will have to splash the cash if they want to secure the 22-year-old’s services as his current employers are keen to hold onto him and could demand as much as £50million.

Wolves are in a strong negotiating position and have no reason to lower their asking price as Neto only signed a new five-year contract in March.

Brown understands that Arsenal have made the acquisition of a new winger if Pepe departs, along with further departures, their key objective heading into the final stages of the transfer window.

The journalist is aware that Neto is among the Gunners’ targets and Arteta could make his move after Pepe’s temporary switch to Nice goes through.

Brown told GIVEMESPORT: “Their priority right now seems to be a winger to replace Nicolas Pepe, who looks like he’s going to Nice.

“Pedro