CARLO ANCELOTTI believes Napoli are closing in on signing Manchester United target Nicolas Pepe. The Lille winger’s agents have been spotted around the Italian club’s training camp in the Alps for talks over a move – rated at £70million. While a fee is yet to be agreed between the clubs, Ancelotti is confident progress is […]
CARLO ANCELOTTI believes Napoli are closing in on signing Manchester United target Nicolas Pepe.
The Lille winger’s agents have been spotted around the Italian club’s training camp in the Alps for talks over a move – rated at £70million.
While a fee is yet to be agreed between the clubs, Ancelotti is confident progress is being made.
The coach told reporters on Thursday: “They were in our hotel. I said hello, as I did with all the agents who came here.
“Obviously, we are interested in Pepe, his agents are here and there’s no point hiding that.
“Negotiations are in progress and we’ll see what happens.
“Pepe is a wide attacking player. We want to find someone who can play between the lines, without forgetting that [Arkadiusz] Milik is a centre-forward, but also strong with his feet.”
Pepe enjoyed an outstanding 2018/19 campaign, hitting 23 goals for Lille to earn the interest of United, Arsenal and Liverpool.
Losing the 24-year-old Ivorian is something Lille are increasingly resigned to.
President Gerard Lopez said earlier in the week: “It is almost done and he could have left last summer.
“It is true that there are big offers and big clubs in for him, so I think [he will go]. Aside from that, you never know in football.”
Napoli are pushing hard to add a fresh creative spark to their team this transfer window, James Rodriguez also on their radar.
Both the Partenopei and Real Madrid want to do the deal, according to Ancelotti, but nothing concrete is in place yet.
The Italian said: “All negotiations are still open. Real Madrid want to sell and Napoli want to sign him.
“There is no optimism or pessimism. There are players who interest us and we’ll see what happens.”
