Report: Everton send scout to watch Lille forward Nicolas Pepe

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Nicolas Pepe reportedly caught Everton’s eye, prompting the Toffees to send a scout to have a look at the forward.

According to a report from The Sunday Mirror (30/09; page 65), Everton decided to send a scout to have a look at Nicolas Pepe as the Toffees weigh up whether to make a move for the Lille forward.

Marco Silva’s men responded to some of the criticism coming their way in fantastic fashion on Saturday as they thrashed Fulham 3-0 at Goodison Park. The win moves Everton up to 11th in the Premier League.

And it appears that thoughts are already turning to January. The Sunday Mirror (30/09; page 65) reports that Everton sent Martyn Glover to have a look at Pepe after his hat-trick against Amiens, and the club are now considering whether to make a bid for the 23-year-old.

Pepe has made an extremely bright start to the season, scoring four and contributing three assists in Ligue 1. His form has helped Lille put themselves fifth heading into this evening’s game with Marseille. A victory would move them second.

Pepe has been used on the right of a front four in the same sort of role that Theo Walcott has been deployed in by Silva at the start of this campaign.

He can also play up front, and boasts a decent record of 20 Ligue 1 goals in 76 games for both Lille and Angers. Pepe also boasts a decent record from the early stages of his international career with the Ivory Coast, so he is definitely one to keep a very close eye on in the coming months.