Arsenal transfer news: Gunners handed boost in Nicolas Pepe chase

Arsenal have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Nicolas Pepe after Lille admitted they will listen to offers for the forward.

The Gunners are tracking the Ivory Coast international, who has netted 17 times in 28 games so far this campaign.

And Lille's sporting director Luis Campos insists they could cash in if they receive an offer in the region of £50million.

Campos told Telefoot: "We are not a rich club - it means that if a really good proposal comes in for Pepe, we have to sell him."

Manchester United and Barcelona have also been credited with an interest, and they may hold an advantage over the Gunners.

Lille manager Christophe Galtier added: "He has to go to a Champions League club.

"In my opinion, an intermediate step is not necessary [for him] to go as high as possible.

"I see him as good with a team that plays all in red and likes to put wingers on the side of their weaker feet."

Mkhitaryan looking to keep up the heat

Henrikh Mkhitaryan knows Arsenal cannot rest on their laurels after moving back into the Premier League top four with victory over Southampton .

Bournemouth are the visitors to the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday before a north London derby against Tottenham at Wembley and Mkhitaryan insists Arsenal are not going to take their foot off the gas.

"We are not looking at the table at the moment because we still have lots of games to play," he said.

"The most important is to be focused and to be ready for every game because we are not going to think that we are in the top four and nothing will change.

"We just have to keep working and trying our best to win three points in every game.

"It is not the main thing at the moment. The season is not done, we still have lots of games to play. The most important thing is to stay focused and keep winning games."

Former Gunner retires

Abou Diaby has retired from football aged 32.

Diaby made the announcement live on French television channel RMC's "Footissime" show after several years suffering with injuries, having most recently played for Marseille in 2017.

He said: "I am bringing an end to my professional career. It is the right time.

"For a number of years it has been difficult for me to return, with a lot of physical problems.

"It is a difficult decision but I have thought a lot about my decision and I am at ease with it. After Marseille, I gave myself a year to come back but it was harder than I thought, and I have decided to stop."