Report: Everton interested in Lille attacker Nicolas Pepe

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Everton are reportedly interested in attacker Nicolas Pepe from French top-flight club Lille.

According to the Telegraph, the Toffees have expressed an interest in the 24-year-old during the summer transfer window.

It is understood that Lille would want around £58.5million for him, but it remains to be seen whether Everton would play a club-record fee for him.

The report details that the Merseyside club are exploring the possibility to bring him to Goodison Park and he fits the bill of what manager Marco Silva wants this summer.

Portuguese boss Silva is keen to add a left-footed attacker that can play on the right flank and had considered several targets, with Pepe the latest on his wishlist that ticks those boxes.

Pepe scored 23 goals and supplied 12 assists across all competitions last season in just 41 games.

The left-footed winger steered Lille to a second-place finish in Ligue 1 and scored some eye-catching goals.

He’s a speed machine with an incredible turn of pace and looks like he could cause some serious damage if he moves to the Premier League.

TBR’s View:

Pepe would be a marquee signing for Everton that would be an incredible bit of business, but he would cost a fortune and would have to give up European football for a year to join the club.

He would go straight into the starting XI if the Toffees spent the money, but the club do already have some decent options out wide with the likes of Richarlison and Bernard.

The blistering wide player is preparing for an Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final with Ivory Coast against Algeria on Thursday and has shown some quality moments in the tournament.