Newcastle United have been linked with Nicolas Pepe since the winter transfer window. Rafael Benitez was one of a few managers in England who were keen to sign Pepe from Angers in January, but the French club stood firm.
Another club keen were Hull City, but their relegation to the Championship has pretty much ended that idea, and last week L’Equipe named Newcastle United as the only English club interested right now.
Then it was said the door to a transfer was open, with Angers prepared to sell Pepe as long as they receive a ‘significant offer’.
That hasn’t arrived yet and on Sunday the French newspaper focus on Lille interest, with new manager Marcelo Bielsa said to be keen. Contacts between Lille and Angers have 
‘accelerated over the weekend’, but Newcastle are still named as strong competition.
Newcastle have the financial advantage, believe L’Equipe, and with Angers looking at €10m, or a little over including bonuses, it’s not a difficult deal to do.
If Benitez is still strongly interested in the 22 year old flexible attacker then he needs to encourage Newcastle to put an offer together quickly.
This isn’t like the Ruben Semedo chase, Nicolas Pepe could very quickly sign for a French club for a small fee, and Newcastle need to decide if that’s ok by them.
