Nicolas Pepe has attracted lots of attention this summer on the back of an incredible season with Ligue 1 outfit Lille, and now it is being reported that Manchester United have opened discussions over a potential swoop for the pacy winger.
Arsenal and Liverpool have also been linked with moves for the Ivory Coast international, but Duncan Castles claims he has become a target for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at United, in a piece for The Times.
After last season, Pepe and his representatives may start asking if now is the time for a big move, or if it’s best to bide his time in France for another year at least.
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Signing Pepe could be a positive way to deal with the likelihood of losing Romelu Lukaku this summer, with Inter boss Antonio Conte making it clear after yesterday’s pre-season match up that they haven’t given up hope of signing the Belgian striker.
But with Mason Greenwood, Tahith Chong and Angel Gomes now showing signs they’re ready for game time in the senior side, Solskjaer has a bit of considering to do before splashing money on a £70m-rated attack-minded player.
Not to forget the summer arrival of Daniel James from Swansea City.
Pepe hit double figures for goals and assists last season, so the feeling is United would be getting a ready-made top player, though Solskjaer’s transfer strategy up until now hasn’t shied away from his willingness to develop players.
The piece in The Times notes that Liverpool may be a more appealing destination to Pepe at the moment due to Champions League football, as well as the likelihood that Jurgen Klopp’s men will challenge for the Premier League again next season.
However, they’re supposedly not as advanced in their efforts to sign Pepe just yet.
Arsenal I don’t think we need to worry about…
