Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly keen to bring 16-goal Ligue 1 forward Nicolas Pepe to the Premier League next summer.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have been linked with the prolific Lille attacker Nicolas Pepe, but his manager believes that he should only leave France for a club capable of offering Champions League football, as reported by the Metro.
The Ivory Coast international has taken his game to a new level this season, scoring 16 goals and producing eight assists in Ligue 1 to help Lille – who narrowly avoided relegation last May – challenge for a place in the Champions League.
Le10 Sport believes that Wolves are one of a number of sides keeping a close eye Pepe’s rapid rise. They reportedly sent scouts to watch the 23-year-old during Lille’s clash with Montpellier in December.
But Lille manager Christophe Galtier believes that Pepe should aim his sights higher than Molineux with the likes of Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Arsenal all allegedly interested.
“Nicolas Pepe is having a great season and he will continue to improve. He has to go to a Champions League club. In my opinion, he does not need an intermediate step to go as high as possible,” Galiter told the Metro.
Wolves have been a revelation since they were promoted to the Premier League last year but qualifying for the Champions League looks beyond them as it stands.
It remains to be seen whether their Chinese billionaire owners would be willing to finance a deal for Pepe, who Lille reportedly value at a staggering £72 million.
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