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Reports out of France have Inter Milan striking a solid interest in LOSC Lille winger Nicolas Pepe.
According to France Football, Inter are prepared to make a bid between €60 million and €70 million for the 23-year-old Ivory Coast international.
The amount seems extremely high, considering his value according to Transfermarkt is a little more than €40 million.
However, his ability leaves little question as to his potential value.
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In his first season with the Ligue One outfit, Pepe has amassed 20 goals and 14 assists in 35 matches across all competitions.
He scored a goal in Lille’s 2-1 defeat to Stade Rennais in the third round of the Coupe de France and notched a hat trick in the club’s 3-2 win at AC Amiens in league play back in September.
Pepe has also found the back of the net in three of the last five league matches for Lille as the club sits second in Ligue 1 – 17 points back of Paris-Saint Germain.
Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Arsenal and PSG are other teams that have a reported interest in Pepe.
He started his career with Poitiers FC before being transferred to SCO Angiers. Following a brief loan appearance for US Orleans, he was dealt to Lille for around €12 million in 2017.
Pepe has shown a propensity to find the back of the net, but he is still very young.
Unless the Nerazzurri are planning a youth movement with the likes of Lautaro Martinez, it could be a very risky move to pay so much money for a player like Pepe.
However, after scoring 14 goals in 38 matches just a season ago, it can be argued that Pepe is a player on the rise.
It’s the €70 million that has me concerned the most about adding him to the roster at the Giuseppe Meazza next season.
What do you think? Post your comments below!