London rivals set to battle it out for Lille winger

Tottenham have become the latest club to display interest in signing Lille winger Nicolas Pepe, according to reports. The Ivorian has been a star in the Ligue 1 this season, managing to score 20 goals and record 14 assists. He was also on target for his club during their impressive recent 5-1 demolition of Paris-Saint Germain.

Pepe has been compared to Eden Hazard. He is also currently playing for the club from which Hazard ended up joining Chelsea in 2012. The 23-year-old is a star in the making. Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino has a good reputation in terms of how he works with young talent and this could make a move to North London appealing for Pepe.

Spurs could be set to face strong competition from Chelsea, as well as other leading clubs in world football, this summer in the race to secure the signature of Pepe. Lille President Gerard Lopez appears to have now more or less resigned himself to losing the services of the talented youngster in the near future.

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He said: “Four or five players will be leaving this summer. All clubs are forced to balance their accounts except perhaps one. I would say yes, it is sure he (Pepe) will leave.

“He enters a price range that can no longer be paid. There is a career choice to make for him, I think he will have the choice.”

Pepe will end up leaving Lille this summer. Whether Spurs will be able to sign him will depend on whether they are able to match the fees offered by other clubs. Pochettino may have more money to spend this summer after he did not make a single purchase during the past two transfer windows. Spurs also gained money from the sale of Mousa Dembele to the Chinese Super League in January.