Manchester United transfer news: Red Devils advance long-standing interest in Liverpool target Nicolas Pepe – reports

Manchester United have progressed in their discussions to land Liverpool target Nicolas Pepe, according to reports.

Lille winger Pepe has been heavily linked with a move away from the club with Champions League winners Liverpool being tipped to snap him up for most of the summer.

However, United have emerged as favourites to land Pepe over the past couple of days.

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And The Times are reporting that a source close to the player has revealed the Red Devils advanced their long-standing interest in Pepe, who is valued at more than £70million.

Arsenal and Everton have also been linked with Pepe, however, neither these clubs nor Liverpool have made an offer to Lille for the Ivory Coast international.

Instead, they have contacted representatives to assess his willingness to join them.

Pepe enjoyed a very good 2018/19 season, scoring 22 times in Ligue 1 as Lille secured a second-place finish and Champions League qualification.

The 24-year-old, who was named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year, has three years left on his current deal.

Club president Gerard Lopez has been open about Lille’s intention to sell Pepe in order to fund reinvestment in their squad.

Funds for United, who have signed Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka so far this summer, to land Pepe could be generated by the sale of striker Romelu Lukaku.

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Lukaku has been heavily linked with a move to Inter Milan this summer, however, the Serie A club had a £54million bid for the Belgian rejected by United last week.