New Arsenal signing Nicolas Pepe reportedly turned down the chance to join Liverpool as Jurgen Klopp’s side couldn’t guarantee the winger a regular starting berth.

Pepe joined Arsenal from Lille on Thursday for a club record fee of £72million.

As reported by Get French Football News, the winger was also the subject of strong interest from Liverpool, but a move failed to materialise.

With the prolific Mohamed Salah frequently deployed on the right flank for Liverpool, Pepe may not have been a regular starter had he made the switch to Anfield.

However, with Arsenal lacking in wide options, Pepe is set to quickly become one of the first names on the team sheet for Unai Emery’s side.

Last season Pepe was hugely impressive for Lille as he scored 22 goals and provided 11 assists in 38 appearances in Ligue 1.

Pepe became Arsenal’s fourth signing of the summer, following on from Gabriel Martinelli, Dani Ceballos and William Saliba, with the latter having returned to Saint-Etienne on loan.

There could be further arrivals at Arsenal before the transfer window closes next week, with Celtic defender Kieran Tierney still one of the club’s key targets.