Magpies seem set to swoop for Pepe

NEWCASTLE United appear set to firm up their long-standing interest in Angers forward Nicolas Pepe.

The 21-year-old Ivorian scored three goals and provided one assist as he has helped unfancied Angers reach the French Cup final, in which they will play Paris SaintGermain on Saturday.

L’Equipe claims that the Magpies will make a bid for Pepe this summer as United look to add greater pace and versatility to their attacking line-up.

But the French publication also suggests that United will face plenty of competition for the Ivorian’s signature, with Monaco, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Wolfsburg and Hamburg all cited as harbouring an interest too.

In January, reports that Newcastle had made an £8million for Pepe were wide of the mark – and privately angered Rafa Benitez. However, the Magpies did regularly scout Pepe during the 2016/17 campaign and had earmarked the forward for a potential summer bid.

Benitez was at the Parc des Princes to watch Pepe come on as a second-half substitute as Ivory Coast drew 0-0 with France in November.

Seemingly, according to L’Equipe, Newcastle are now ready to make their move for the forward.

Interestingly, Pepe was the subject of a bid from Hull City in January, and said this of a potential move to England: “I let my agents and [Angers general manager] Olivier [Pickeu] to do their job and not mingle too much.

“Anyway, I don’t see myself playing in England immediately.

“In the corner of my head I wanted to stay as I didn’t want Angers to believe that I had to immediately leave.

“I also wanted to help the club survive and didn’t want to cut corners. I rather wanted to stay in France.

“I know that my agents spoke with Marseille, but I knew I was going to stay.”