Transfer Centre

Manchester City 'enquire about Lille forward Nicolas Pepe'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 05 November 2018

Manchester City reportedly enquire about in-demand Lille forward Nicolas Pepe, who has also been linked with Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.

Manchester City have reportedly made an enquiry into the availability of Lille forward Nicolas Pepe.

Pepe's form in Ligue 1 this season is understood to have alerted a number of Europe's biggest clubs, with the 23-year-old having scored eight goals and created five more in just 12 appearances.

The likes of Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal are all thought to be monitoring the striker's progress, and The Times reports that Man City have now also joined the race for his signature.

City boss Pep Guardiola is keen to further strengthen his attacking options at the Etihad Stadium, despite scoring a record 106 goals in the Premier League last season and leading the way with 33 already this term.

Southampton are understood to have seen a £12.5m bid rejected in the summer, while Lille are also thought to have turned down an offer of more than double that from Lyon on the final day of the transfer window.

Pepe's form this season has resulted in a higher calibre of clubs chasing him, though, and Lille are reported to value the Ivory Coast international at £44m now.