A week ago, Barcelona’s interest in Nicolas Pepe was backed up by sources at the Catalan club.
Pepe is having a good season for Lille, and in the L’Equipe rankings he’s currently the most highly rated player this Ligue 1 season. Ahead of second placed Neymar.
Manchester United links started a few days ago, at first alongside Arsenal, as it was claimed Jose Mourinho’s club are ‘on the case’ to make a move for the player in the January window.
It was then reported the Premier League club would have an official in attendance to scout Lille’s match against Bordeaux on Wednesday evening, and it will have been a mixed bag for the Manchester United representative.
Pepe’s side lost 1-0 away to Bordeaux but L’Equipe still name Pepe as one of the top players in the match. He was awarded 6/10, a good mark for the French newspaper and the highest in his team.
The biggest reason for Bordeaux winning is Benoit Costil, with the goalkeeper putting in an excellent display and denying Pepe on several occasions, including two late on.
Still, it’s pointed out Pepe could have made the match very different had he converted an early chance.
The 23 year old played on the right of a three behind Lille striker Rui Fonte.
