Pepe drawing Premier League interest

Lille striker Nicolas Pepe is beginning to attract serious interest from the Premier League, with both Manchester United and Liverpool said to be monitoring the forward.

The 24-year-old French-Ivorian has impressed in Ligue 1 this season, scoring 22 goals and recording 11 assists in 37 appearances. The tally left Pepe second in the league goalscoring standings behind Paris Saint Germain’s unstoppable striker Kylian Mbappe, whilst he also finished joint-second in the assist rankings – level with Angel Di Maria and behind Nimes’ Teji Savanier.

The consistent form has alerted a host of clubs across Europe including the likes of Bayern Munich and PSG, however particular interest has ignited in England with both Manchester United and Liverpool taking note of the striker.

Pepe likes to dribble with the ball, play short passes and even cut inside from the wing, offering a varied attacking threat either from the wing or driving through to score himself. In fact, the forward was part of both of the the most prolific assist-to-goalscorer combinations in Ligue 1 this season, combining with both Jonathan Ikone and Jonathan Bamba five times respectively.

Manchester United were first to record an interest in Pepe as they look to overhaul their squad under Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer ahead of next season. The Red Devils allegedly met with Lille officials in mid-May to discuss a transfer however speculation died down before Liverpool began considering an approach this week.

Liverpool approach Nicolas Pepe as Lille prepare for offer. #LOSC #LFC #MUFC #PSG #BAYERN #CIV https://t.co/37I3lx8Tmq pic.twitter.com/jRc4w7G5Xi

— Duncan Castles (@DuncanCastles) May 29, 2019

Lille are open to selling Pepe this summer despite qualifying for the Champions League with a second-placed finish in Ligue 1 this year.

The club’s director Luis Campos informed Telefoot of Lille’s business model in February earlier this year, saying: “We are not a rich club.

It means that if a really good proposal comes in for Pepe, we have to sell him.”

With both Premier League sides likely to want their summer business wrapped up as soon as possible ahead of the new season, it looks like Pepe could be on the move in the near future as the race for the 24-year-old hots up.