Nicolas Pepe is set to become one of Europe’s most in demand footballers when the summer transfer window opens.
The 23-year-old has taken Ligue 1 by storm this season, netting 19 times and providing 11 assists in 32 games to catch the eye of several top clubs.
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Lille are resigned to losing Pepe
Liverpool are reportedly leading the chase for his signature, with Premier League rivals Arsenal, Manchester United and Everton also interested.
Lille look set to finish second in the French top flight, thanks largely to the form of Pepe, and the club are already resigned to the prospect of losing him this summer.
Club president Gerard Lopez recently told Telefoot: “Four or five players will be leaving this summer.
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“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.â€
Here’s how the Ivory Coast international rose to such prominence.
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Only Mbappe has more Ligue 1 goals than Pepe this season
Who is Nicolas Pepe?
The French-born Ivorian started his career in the lower leagues of French football before eventually earning a transfer to Angers in 2013.
His professional debut came in November 2014 – a 1-1 draw against Ajaccio in Ligue 2. Pepe spent a year in the B team before he was loaned out to fellow French side US Orleans to aid his development.
When he returned to Angers, he became a first-team regular, making 33 Ligue 1 appearances in the 2016/17 campaign.
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His performances grabbed the attention of the Ivory Coast’s selectors, who gave him his first international cap in November 2016, and Lille were keeping tabs on him, too.
Pepe signed a five-year deal with Lille in the summer of 2017 for a reported £10m fee.
Since then, he has gone from strength-to-strength, quickly establishing himself as one of the most exciting players in France.
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Nicolas Pepe has been linked with a move to the Premier League
Earlier this season, he bagged a hat-trick in the 3-2 Ligue 1 away win over Amiens SC.
Pepe was the star of the show as Lille thrashed Paris Saint-Germain 5-1 earlier this month, notching a goal and two assists against the French champions.
Only PSG sensation Kylian Mbappe has more goals than him in Ligue 1 this season.
He’s a defender’s nightmare, with his pace, close control and directness causing them all sorts of problems.
“He amazes me, he amazes us,” his manager, Christoph Galtier said in February.
“He’s certain to become a world class player because he knows how to do everything. He doesn’t need an intermediate step. After the great season he’s having with us, he can go straight to a Champions League club.”
profile Who is Nicolas Pepe: Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United transfer target's stats, position and goals for Lille
Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United transfer target's
fussboll.com/2019/04/24/liverpool-arsenal-and-manchester-united-transfer-targets-stats-position-and-goals//
Liverpool are reportedly leading the chase for his signature, with Premier League rivals Arsenal, Manchester United and Everton also interested. Lille look set to finish second in the French top flight, thanks largely to the form of Pepe, and the club are already resigned to the prospect of losing him this summer.
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Arsenal are in talks to sign Lille ace Nicolas Pepe (Picture: Getty) Arsenal have held negotiations to sign Lille star Nicolas Pepe but are likely to be priced out of a move for the sought-after
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Lille forward Nicolas Pépé will reject a move to the Premier League this summer in favour of joining Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich. Both Manchester United and Liverpool had been keeping tabs on the Ivorian star ahead of the transfer window, sending numerous scouting parties to the Stade Pierre Mauroy and across France before deciding whether to make a move.
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Who is Nicolas Pepe: Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United
Watch in-depth highlights of Lille attacker Nicolas Pepe throughout the 2018/2019 season! Top 5 Arsenal Transfer Targets in January 2019 Manchester United 3-2 AC Milan 2010 UCL Round of 16
Liverpool ready to offer £71m for Nicolas Pepe - Liverpool FC
Lille OSC forward Nicolas Pepe has decided to reject moves to either Manchester United or Liverpool to replace Arjen Robben or of money they've ever spent during a single transfer window, and
Lille's Nicolas Pepe Ready to Snub Man Utd & Liverpool
Manchester United and Arsenal have also been strongly linked with a move for Pepe. Pepe has sparked interest from England's major clubs after scoring 23 goals in 41 appearances last season for Lille. Source: MailOnline. This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.
Liverpool are reportedly ready to launch an official bid for the transfer of Lille star and Manchester United transfer target Nicolas Pepe.
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Liverpool and Man Utd target Nicolas Pepe 'makes transfer decision' The Lille star has caught the eye of Liverpool and Manchester United after a stunning season in Ligue 1. Pepe fired 22 goals
Lille's Nicolas Pepe Ready to Snub Man Utd & Liverpool
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