Newcastle United are now in ‘pole position’ to sign Angers forward Nicolas Pepe this summer according to reports in France.
It was claimed in January that Newcastle had a deadline day bid rejected for Pepe, with Hull also believed to have seen an £9.5m offer rejected back by the player – with Pepe said to be keen to help the struggling Ligue 1 side beat the drop (which they successfully achieved, finishing 12th despite being bottom of the league when the initial rumours emerged).
L'Equipe: #NUFC interested in Angers winger Nicolas Pepe. Was a target in January, but several clubs – Lille & Monaco also in competition
— Mohammed Ali (@mohammedali_93) May 23, 2017
Pepe is 21-years-old and an Ivory Coast International. He is a right-sided winger/forward who has been attracting the interest of several clubs over the past 6 months according to reports. It is believed that Lille, Monaco, Marseille, Watford, Wolfsburg, Hamburg and Lyon have all registered an interest in the highly-sought after winger.
He has just 3 goals and 1 assists this season, starting just 11 games, suggesting he is far from the finishes article, but the report claims Benitez is a big fan of his and re-registered his interest in the player as soon as Newcastle clinched promotion.
Nicolas Pepe would be a nice pick up for #NUFC. Tall but speed winger who runs like a gazelle, but needs to work on his final ball delivery.
— The Perennial Pundit (@PerennialPundit) May 23, 2017
One to watch this summer perhaps.
