Reported Newcastle target Nicolas Pepe in great form but still faces relegation

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Premier League Newcastle United have been linked with Ligue 1 winger Nicholas Pepe since January 2017 and he is now shining for Lille.

Nicholas Pepe is doing everything he can to keep Lille in Ligue 1.

The 22-year-old winger had only even scored three goals in the French top flight before this season, but has seven in 2018 alone as Lille aim to avoid a shock relegation into the second tier.

It is fair to say Pepe is in the form of his life, blossoming amid the pressure from an erratic, frustrating yet gifted winger into an efficient attacker capable of making a real difference in the final third.

Despite the Ivorian youngster’s best efforts, however, a Lille side who were expected to challenge for Europe after F1 supremo Gerard Lopez took control in 2017, are in danger of being relegated for the first time in the 21st century.

With three games to go this season, LOSC are second from bottom, two points adrift of safety.

So Newcastle United could do worse than keep an eye on Pepe as Rafa Benitez aims to add more quality out wide this summer, as reported by the Chronicle.

The Chronicle stated that the Magpies have been keen on Pepe since as far back as January 2017, when they could have signed him for £10 million, and were linked again last summer when he was on his way out of Angers.

If Pepe cannot keep Lille in Ligue 1, however, expect him to be quickly out the door. And, considering his sterling efforts in 2018, a move to St James’ Park might not have passed him by just yet.