Liverpool FC transfer news: Lille manager confirms Nicolas Pepe will leave French giants

Lille manager Christophe Galtier confirmed that star winger Nicolas Pepe will leave the French club in the summer.

The 23-year-old has enjoyed a wonderful season with Les Dogues racking up 22 Ligue 1 goals and 11 assists from 37 games.

Pepe’s performances helped Lille finish second in the league and the club will play Champions League football next season.

The Liverpool Echo reports that Pepe’s performances have caught the eye of Liverpool.

However, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Arsenal are also interested in the 23-year-old (h/t Liverpool Echo).

Galtier spoke to Canal+ and confirmed the star was leaving (h/t Liverpool Echo):

“Nicolas Pepe will leave. Life’s like that, football’s like that today.

“He is a player of the highest level who will have a big decision to make on the choice of his next club.”

Galtier hopes for the right club for Pepe

The Lille manager added that several clubs will fight it out for Pepe’s signature and wanted the Ivorian to pick the right club:

“There will be a battle between the great European teams.

“I hope that he will take good amount of time to think about it, do his research.”

The manager highlighted that Pepe took a great decision to remain with Lille in the previous summer, and now needs to find the “right project.”

The 23-year-old scored 13 goals in his debut season for Les Dogues and could be one of the big transfers in the summer.

Liverpool have two world-class wingers in the team but could do with more competition for the pair.

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