Leeds United face heavyweight opposition in their admiration of Juventus winger Simone Pepe after Monaco showed interest in the player.

Pepe is out of contract with Juventus at the end of June and is one of a number of players playing in Italy that Leeds owner Massimo Cellino has added to his shortlist of potential summer signings.




But according to Italian broadcaster Sport Mediaset, French Ligue 1 outfit Monaco are now keen on Pepe.

Monaco are operating on a tight budget as they aim to stay on the right side of UEFA's financial fair play rules and have identified Pepe as a potential bargain signing.
 


The principality outfit currently sit third in Ligue 1 and on course to once again qualify for the Champions League after reaching the quarter-finals this season.

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Should Monaco follow through on their interest in Pepe, Leeds would have a tough task persuading the 31-year-old to snub Champions League football to instead drop into the second tier in England.

However, Cellino has dealt with Pepe before and took him to Cagliari on loan for the 2006/07 campaign when he owned the Sicilian club.

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