Nicolas Pepe is fast becoming one of the hottest prospects in European football and the Ivorian looks set to spark a frenzy in the transfer market.
The winger has been mesmeric for Lille this season and with the French club accepting they cannot keep hold of the £69million man, Arsenal and Manchester United are sensing the time is now to bring him in.
Here, Sportsmail runs the rule over the 23-year-old, looking into his career so far and why United and Arsenal are so keen to secure his signature this summer...
Nicolas Pepe has emerged as one of the most exciting players in Europe after a fine season
Who is he?
Growing up in Mantes-la-Jolie, 30 miles outside of Paris, Pepe faced a tough task of hitting the big time as he worked his way through the lower leagues.
As a 17-year-old Pep impressed at amateur side Poitiers before a move to Angers emerged, allowing him to become a professional.
After a brief loan spell at New Orleans, where he won promotion from the third division, Pepe's stock continued to rise before Lille, who have a rich history of developing young players, snapped him up two years ago.
His blistering pace quickly became a devastating weapon in Lille's arsenal and the comparisons to Eden Hazard, who announced himself to world football at the French club, were inevitable.
He has been the shining light for Lille as they secured Champions League football for next year
Who wants him?
The list seems to be getting longer by the day.
Manchester United and Arsenal are desperate to bolster their ranks in wide areas this summer and are credited with holding a long-standing interest in him.
Real Madrid, another side who needs to revitalise a dwindling front line, has taken a shining to Pepe's pace, power and finishing ability with current winger Gareth Bale deemed surplus to requirements.
The difficulty clubs have is not with his price tag - he is valued at £69m by the club - it is the fact he is determined to play Champions League football after ensuring Lille finished second to secure their spot for next season.
United are already resigned to the Europa League while Unai Emery needs a win in the Europa League final against Chelsea to win a spot at the top table for 2019-20.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (L) wants Pepe at Man United while Unai Emery (R) is keen at Arsenal
