Liverpool FC transfer news: Liverpool interested in Lille star Nicolas Pepe

Liverpool are the latest club to have shown interest in Lille star Nicolas Pepe, reports French news outlet L’Equipe. (h/t the Birmingham Mail)

Nicolas Pepe, 23, is one of the hottest properties in the world right now, having enjoyed a real breakthrough campaign at Lille. The Ivorian has enjoyed a fantastic season in front of goal, with 19 goals so far while he has also bagged a further 11 assists.

A superb performance as his Lille side thrashed Paris Saint-Germain 5-1 at the weekend has reminded everyone just how good Nicolas Pepe is, and with club chairman Gerard Lopez making it clear he’ll be off in the summer, Liverpool’s latest interest in the player could be true.

Liverpool aren’t the only club interested in the Ivory Coast international, Inter Milan, Wolves and several other Premier League clubs remain keen for his signature, adds the report. (h/t the Birmingham Mail)

Do Liverpool need Nicolas Pepe?

Interest in Pepe doesn’t come as a surprise but do we really the nippy winger? It remains to be seen as we have our front three fixed almost in every game. Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah are undoubted starters under Jurgen Klopp and it has proven very difficult for the likes of Xherdan Shaqiri, Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi to dislodge them from the first team.

So that could see Pepe reject us, knowing he’ll likely find himself more on the bench than on the pitch. The talented Ivorian needs to play games regularly if he is to unlock his true potential. At Anfield, chances of that happening remain bleak.

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Thus, it’s better to avoid signing Pepe, who is rated at €70m by Lille. (h/t the Birmingham Mail)