After last season’s mess of a season under Marcelo Bielsa, Lille’s expectations for the new season weren’t exactly sky high.
However, the Ligue 1 side started their season in the best possible way: beating last year’s fifth placed Rennes 3-1 in an impressive performance.
This was partly due to their quick attacks, led by Nicolas Pepe and Jonathan Bamba, with the former of the two allegedly a Southampton target over the summer.
According to France Football on Monday, the young forward was the subject of a €14m bid by the Saints towards the end of the transfer window, which was obviously rejected by the French club.
This information appears in an article about Sevilla’s interest in the 23-year-old, who could be prepared to offer up to €25m for his services, while AS Roma are also said to be keeping an eye on his situation after missing out on Malcom.
Whether Southampton deemed Pepe too expensive isn’t said, but they certainly didn’t come anywhere near Lille’s asking price, who see the Ivory Coast international as key to a successful season.
