Liverpool have reportedly made a huge €80 million bid for Ivory Coast international Nicolas Pepe, who has been linked with a host of clubs this summer.
According to Italian journalist Nicolo Schira of Gazzetta dello Sport, reigning European champions Liverpool are intent on signing Lille winger Nicolas Pepe in the summer transfer window. To that end, the Merseyside giants have submitted an offer worth €80 million to the Ligue 1 outfit, while also making a contract offer to the Ivorian forward.
The 2018-19 campaign was quite the memorable one for Liverpool, as they lifted their sixth Champions League while just missing out on the Premier League title, with Manchester City beating them by just a solitary point. After an excellent season, manager Jurgen Klopp wants to build upon it and push for more honours next season.
Liverpool are unlikely to make a host of signings in the summer, but Klopp will be looking to strengthen a couple of areas in the squad. The lack of quality backup to the first-choice attacking trio of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane is something that the club are likely to address in the ongoing transfer window.
Xherdan Shaqiri had a decent enough debut campaign with Liverpool, while Divock Origi proved his worth in the second half of the season, for which he is set to be rewarded with a new long-term contract. Yet, more quality depth would be welcome at Anfield, as they look to topple Manchester City in the Premier League next time out.
To that end, they have identified Lille’s Nicolas Pepe as a key transfer target. The 23-year-old winger is coming on the back of an exceptional season with Lille, during which he bagged 22 goals and assisted 11 more in 38 Ligue 1 outings, finishing as the second-highest goal-getter in the competition behind PSG star Kylian Mbappe.
Pepe’s performances over the past year have seen him attract a lot of suitors, with Liverpool’s arch-rivals Manchester United reported to have shown interest in signing the Ivory Coast international along with La Liga giants Real Madrid. However, Liverpool seem to have the edge over their competitors in pursuit of the winger, with the Reds submitting an offer, as per the report.
Liverpool, according to the report from Nicolo Schira, have tabled an €80 million offer in order to secure Pepe’s signing. It further adds that the Merseyside giants have put forth a bumper five-year contract worth €3 million-a-year plus add-ons for the 23-year-old.
Pepe has proven to be a potent goalscorer while being equally adept at creating chances. Blessed with pace, the 23-year-old is also a versatile operator who can play out on the flanks or as a centre-forward. His signing has the potential to be an excellent deal for Liverpool, but it remains to be seen if Lille accept their offer.
