Liverpool are keen on adding a few new faces to freshen up their squad before they challenge Manchester City once again for the Premier League title in the 2019-20 season.
The Merseyside club are reportedly interested in Lille winger Nicolas Pépé, who had a fantastic season in Ligue 1.
A report by L’Equipe says that the Ivory Coast international could be available for around €80 million in the summer transfer window.
Manchester United and Arsenal are also keen on adding the player to their ranks, while Inter made a bid of €70 million for the winger. Lille coach Christophe Galtier recently revealed that Pepe will leave the club in the summer.
The winger had an incredible season at the club as his 22 goals and 11 assists in Ligue 1 helped Lille to a second-place finish in the French league, behind Paris Saint-Germain.
The 24-year-old joined the club from Angers in 2017 for €10 million, and has gone on to repay the faith put on him by the Lille management, scoring 37 goals in the two seasons that he has been with the club.
The Ivory Coast attracted interest from all over Europe before the start of the 2018-19 season, but he stayed on at the French club and had a great season. Pepe’s contract with his current club expires in 2022.
Is going after Nicolas Pepe a wise move by Klopp?
Buying a player of the quality of Nicolas Pepe will only make Liverpool an even bigger force in England and Europe.
The 2018-19 Champions League winners could strengthen their squad further and add more options for Klopp to choose from in the final third.
Pepe is a left-footed player who plays on the right as an inverted winger, much like Liverpool’s star man, Mohamed Salah. The Ivorian has pace, great dribbling skills, and the ability to find his teammates with through balls.
The attacker likes to link play with short and quick passes, as well as cut in from the right to central areas to shoot or play teammates through on goal.
Pepe could also be a readymade replacement for Salah if he does eventually leave Liverpool in the near future. At 24 years of age, he has the potential to be even better than what he is now.
Xherdan Shaqiri did a good job for the Reds when he was called upon this past season, but it’s imperative that Liverpool add more quality players to push Manchester City again next season.
