Everton on alert as reported targets Nicolas Pepe and Rafael Leao both score to inspire comeback victory

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Everton might have sent scouts to France on Sunday as Nantes and Lille clashed in a Ligue 1 encounter.

The Toffees have been linked with two Lille players – Nicolas Pepe and Rafael Leao – and scouts would have been impressed with what they saw.

With Lille trailing 2-0 against Nantes, Leao and Pepe both scored to get the scores level. And then Pepe provided the assist for Jonathan Bamba to complete the comeback.

According to The Daily Mail, teenager striker Rafael Leao is on Everton’s radar ahead of the summer transfer window.

The 19-year-old usually starts but was on the bench against Nantes. However, he was brought on just before the hour mark and he scored three minutes later.

It was the Portugal under-21 striker’s eighth league goals in just 20 games, which is an impressive record for a youngster.

Buoyed by the immediate impact of Leao, Lille went in search of an equaliser. And in the 68th minute, they were level as Pepe scored a penalty.

The Ivory Coast international, who was linked with a £30m move to Everton by The Daily Mail in October, then turned provider just moments later.

Pepe chalked up an assist as Bamba scored the winner. The 23-year-old took his tally to 18 goals and nine assists in 30 games for Lille this season.

Everton scouts would have been drooling over Pepe and Leao and this performance could have convinced them to launch a double raid in the summer.