Nicolas Pepe is the most highly rated player in Ligue 1 this season, according to L’Equipe. Giving out marks for each match, the French newspaper then publishes a table each week to show who has the highest average rating.
Right now Lille’s Pepe is out in front, pushing a certain Neymar, who is showing his best form for PSG, into second place.
There’s been repeat links with Barcelona and Manchester United in recent weeks, with Arsenal also making an appearance.
Catalan newspaper Sport now bring Everton into the picture for their readers, claiming Pepe, a right sided attacker, ‘arouses the interest’ of both the Toffees and Gunners.
Clubs want to know the ‘market price’ of the 23 year old, and whatever figure that was a month ago it’s surely only going to be higher now.
Sport’s pushing on Everton interest appears to come from English claims, but it would be assumed that the linked Arsenal keenness is in turn taken from France.
Given the way the price is likely to go, Everton may decide to sit this one out, rather than overpay for a target. It doesn’t look like an obvious Marcel Brands track.
Pepe’s form right now suggests he’d be an impressive signing, but the price/value ratio may not be so attractive.
