Newcastle United are one of several clubs across Europe who have been linked with a move for Angers forward Nicolas Pepe in January.

Pepe, 21, is a versatile player who can play across the forward line and has scored two Ligue 1 goals this season in 16 appearances for the club.




Lyon have been keeping a close watch on the player this season and it has been suggested that the Ligue 1 club are keen to snare him away from Angers during the January transfer window.

However, the deal is expected to be complicated as according to French sports daily L’Equipe, Pepe has attracted the interest from clubs across Europe, including Newcastle United.
 


Rafael Benitez is expected to dip into his funds to further strengthen his high flying Championship squad in January and the 21-year-old striker is believed to be a target.  

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The Ivorian also has other suitors, in Monaco, Lille, AS Roma and Juventus, and Angers are demanding an asking price of around €10m for the player in January.

Lyon are unwilling to fork out such a sum for the young striker and are ready to include a player to sweeten the deal for Angers and bring down Pepe’s price down to a reasonable figure.

He has a contract until 2019 with Angers.