Liverpool are reportedly keen on signing the Lille ace.
According to a report from the Express, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp could prioritise a move for Lille ace Nicolas Pepe, if the unthinkable happens and Sadio Mane is sold to Real Madrid.
The Senegalese ace was on fire for the Reds last season, racking up 26 goals and five assists in 50 appearances in all competitions, and it could be argued that he is irreplaceable for the Merseyside outfit.
Could there be a way that Liverpool could sell Mane and actually find a better replacement, however? Possibly.
Nicolas Pepe to Anfield?
The Ivorian was in sensational form last season, racking up 23 goals and 12 assists in 41 appearances for Lille.
At 24, Pepe is over three years younger than Mane, and considering that the Reds ace’s game is based about energy and dynamism, he probably doesn’t have too many years left at his peak.
The Lille ace, meanwhile, has plenty of years left ahead of him, and he proved last season that he can actually be even more devastating than Mane.
Spanish media outlet Sport claimed earlier this year that Real Madrid were preparing a £73m offer for the 27-year-old, but Liverpool will expect closer to £100 million.
Meanwhile, L’Equipe claims that Pepe could be available for around £80 million, so it could be argued that the Reds would be making the correct decision for their long-term future by bringing the Lille ace to Anfield in place of Mane.
The 27-year-old is a popular figure amongst Reds fans, however, so the club’s owners need to tread carefully.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
