Everton are one of a number of clubs understood to be interested in Lille’s Ligue 1 star Nicolas Pepe.
On current form, it is hard to believe that Lille were very nearly relegated from Ligue 1 last season. As it stands, Les Dogues are the closest challengers to Paris Saint-Germain in France’s top flight, sitting second in the table with five wins in eight games so far.
Lille’s impressive form continued once again on Sunday night with an eye-catching 3-0 win against last season’s Europa League finalists Marseille. And it was Nicolas Pepe who typically hogged the headlines.
The 22-year-old Ivory Coast international has started the 2018/19 campaign in outstanding form, earning the admiration from some of the biggest clubs in Europe.
The Mirror (30 September, page 65) reported that Everton have sent scouts to watch the £30 million-rated Pepe on numerous occasions with Martyn Glover watching the young winger scoring a hat-trick in a recent battering of Amiens.
Pepe took his tally to five goals in eight games on Sunday night, netting the opener and inspiring a brilliant win against Marseille.
Unfortunately for Everton, however, Pepe told Telefoot that he has no intention of moving to a new club in January. Should he continue this form, however, he could be worth more than £30 million next summer.
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