Newcastle are reportedly rekindling their interest in Angers ace Nicolas Pepe.
Nicolas Pepe
According to L’Equipe, Newcastle United are in pole position to land Angers winger Nicolas Pepe, having failed with a move for him in January.
The Magpies are looking to boost their squad having won promotion back to the Premier League under Rafael Benitez, with the Spaniard possibly looking to strengthen a host of positions.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez celebrates
Newcastle have activated a permanent deal for winger Christian Atsu following a loan spell from Chelsea, but another winger could still be targeted given that Yoan Gouffran is out of contract this summer.
It now seems that Newcastle want to bring a long-term target to St. James’ Park, with L’Equipe reporting that the Magpies lead the chase to sign Angers winger Nicolas Pepe.
It was the French newspaper who reported in February that Pepe rejected a January move to Newcastle, but it seems that Benitez isn’t quite ready to give up his pursuit of the wide man just yet.
Pepe, an Ivorian international, certainly has pace to burn as well as potential to improve, but his record since the turn of the year should be something of a concern for Newcastle.
The winger was not only in and out of the Angers side, but registered just one goal and no assists since the start of 2017, in a worrying patch of form that saw him become a substitute on a number of occasions.
Crystal Palace’s Andros Townsend
At nearly 22, Pepe needs to show himself as a productive winger, and the money being talked about – €11million (£9.5million) – would represent a major gamble on a young player who has yet to really prove himself in France.
With Newcastle looking to re-establish themselves as a Premier League club, fans may rather see a proven winger – such as Crystal Palace’s former Magpie Andros Townsend – join the club, with Pepe representing a high-risk, potentially high-reward option for Benitez, with his 2017 surely something of a concern.
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