United join Liverpool in race for Nicolas Pepe
Manchester United have joined fierce rivals Liverpool in the race to sign £60million-rated Lille forward Nicolas Pepe.
Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is preparing for a huge squad overhaul this summer and has highlighted attack as an area to strengthen.
According to the Express, United have sent scouts to watch Pepe in France and have been impressed with his performances for the Ligue 1 side.
The 23-year-old, who is understood to be seeking pastures new this summer, has notched 20 goals this season.
Liverpool have reportedly already made contact with Lille over wide man Pepe in an attempt to pip their Premier League rivals to his signature.
The hit-man was a target for Barcelona at the start of the season and a number of English clubs are now said to have shown an interest.
As well as impressing Jurgen Klopp, his impressive campaign has caught the eye of Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham - and now United.
Since his move to Lille in 2017, Pepe has scored 34 goals in 73 games, and his form this season has taken Les Dogues to the verge of Champions League qualification after a 17th placed finish last term.
However L’Equipe recently claimed Pepe won’t make a decision on his future until after May 5, the date of Lille’s crunch clash with Lyon.
The winner of that encounter is likely to finish second in Ligue 1 behind Paris Saint-Germain.
The French league season doesn’t finish until May 25, with three more games to play after that Lyon tie, but it is reported that Pepe will announce his future early next month.
Source: Daily Mirror
This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.