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Liverpool have free run at Nicolas Pepe transfer as PSG switch targets

By David Gate

ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - JUNE 04: Nicolas Pepe of the Ivory Coast in action during the International Friendly match between the Netherlands and Ivory Coast held at De Kuip or Stadion Feijenoord on June 4, 2017 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - JUNE 04: Nicolas Pepe of the Ivory Coast in action during the International Friendly match between the Netherlands and Ivory Coast held at De Kuip or Stadion Feijenoord on June 4, 2017 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) /
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Liverpool could have a free run at signing Lille forward Nicolas Pepe this transfer window as PSG leave the race and switch targets.

As Liverpool fans are debating whether or not the club will actually spend money this summer a huge opportunity has opened up for the Reds to sign Lille attacker Nicolas Pepe.

The Ivorian forward has been linked to a Anfield move all summer but Liverpool were facing competition for the signing from Bayern Munich and PSG. Now there is news that both clubs are moving on after finding other targets.

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Bayern are looking for top-level replacements for the departing Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben. While they like Pepe they don’t see him as having an immediate impact, needing a little longer to develop after his breakout season.

One reason he would be great at Anfield is that the expectation in 2019/20 is that he would play backup to Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane as he develops under Jurgen Klopp.

Bayern’s move to other targets has been followed by PSG doing the same thing. They are close to wrapping up a deal for Sevilla attacker Pablo Sarabia to boost their squad.

Perhaps if Neymar was to leave this summer or if Kylain Mbappe can tempted away by Real Madrid or (please God, please) Liverpool then PSG would renew interest in Pepe. But for now they have moved on.

That leaves Liverpool as the only credible side for his signature. Manchester United would love to sign him but they are struggling to attract top players to Old Trafford with no Champions League football to offer and stuck with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as manager.

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However the huge price that is rumored – over £80 million – is probably enough to make this move an unlikely occurrence before the transfer window shuts in August.