MANCHESTER UNITED and Arsenal have been given a boost in their hopes of signing Lille star Nicolas Pepe – by the French club's own manager.
Pepe, 23, is a skilful winger who plays for the Ivory Coast and has made a huge name for himself in Ligue 1.
The ace has scored 17 goals and provided 11 assists in just 25 matches this term.
Unsurprisingly this has alerted a host of Europe's top clubs, with Arsenal and United believed to be keen to bag him this summer.
Both will have to ensure they qualify for Champions League football in order to entice him however, according to Lille manager Christophe Galtier.
But both clubs already have one box ticked – the colour of their home kits.
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The 52-year-old boss said: "Nicolas Pepe is having a great season and he will continue to improve.
"He has to go to a Champions League club. In my opinion, he does not need an intermediate step to go as high as possible.
"I can see him well in a team that plays in red."
The Gunners lack of funds means they were priced out of a move for the Ivorian in the January transfer window but they were poised to return in the summer.
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Bayern Munich and Barcelona are also believed to be keeping a close eye to the ground.
The Ivory Coast international, who is just one behind Kylian Mbappe who tops the scoring charts, remains under contract at Stade Pierre-Mauroy until June 2022.
Lille chief Luis Campos, who previously slapped a £72million price-tag on his prized asset, said: "In terms of Ligue 1, he's just behind Neymar and Mbappe."
Winger Pepe only arrived at Lille less than two years ago for £9million after he helped guide first club Angers to promotion to Ligue 1.
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