Liverpool reportedly have interest in Nicolas Pepe but appear to doubt his interest in joining them.
The Times say that the Reds haven’t made a proper approach for Pepe. Instead, they’ve ‘contacted representatives to assess his willingness to join them’.
Manchester United, on the other hand, are supposedly advancing their own move for the £70m-rated player.
So why would United feel more confident than Liverpool? Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side had a very poor season and are currently needing a squad overhaul.
Liverpool, of course, are European champions and one of the finest teams in Europe. Yet Liverpool appear to doubt that Pepe is interested – United don’t.
The reason for that is surely first-team football. Pepe had a brilliant season with Lille and wants to step up. United can offer him that, what with their lack of a defined starting XI.
Liverpool have a front-three that’s probably the best in the world. Any player would struggle to break into it, given how effectively they fit together.
Can Liverpool be sure that they offer what Pepe wants? No, they really can’t. He’d be behind the established trio and his first challenge is merely to start most weeks.
United will give him that from the start. And that makes negotiating this deal far easier.
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