The rumour surrounding Nicolas Pépé joining the Reds has been gathering pace after RMC Sport’s Mohamed Bouhafsi suggested we were “well placed” to compete with Bayern Munich for him.
The French journalist had his finger on the pulse for the Nabil Fekir and Fabinho transfers – with Pépé arriving from Lille we get the feeling he may know something.
That, however, hasn’t stopped others throwing their hats into the ring with further speculation on Anfield top brass bringing in the 24-year-old Ivory Coast international.
According to less than reputable Mercado Ingles, we’re “preparing” an official offer of £59 million (whatever that means) for Pépé who scored 22 goals in Ligue 1 this season.
Liverpool negocia el pase del delantero Marfileño, jugador del Lille, Nicolas Pepe; preparan oferta oficial de £59M. pic.twitter.com/yoCNewgosd
— Futbol de Inglaterra (@Mercado_Ingles) 8 June 2019
While Bouhafsi is one thing, we’re looking at this additional rumour from Spain as a classic case of adding fuel the fire.
The figures being bandied about range from €70 million to €80 million, and, with the current exchange rate as it is, €80 million would set the Reds back around £71 million – slightly more than the £59 million quoted here.
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As soon as gossip starts gathering pace it often becomes unstoppable and takes on a life of it’s own.
A few weeks ago Lyon’s Memphis Depay was the talk of the town, now Pépé is the man under the spotlight.
The transfer window is fickle and unpredictable, but, ultimately, it’s about Klopp and Michael Edwards going into the market and trying to secure the right player for our squad.
A player with the profile of Pépé is exactly what we need for competitive cover up front – pace, vision, versatility, an eye for goal, and good on the counter.