OPINION
Michael Edwards could be heading towards a masterstroke of a transfer after it was reported that Liverpool have agreed a deal in principle to sign Lille forward Nicolas Pepe this summer.
According to Italian news outlet CalcioNapoli24, as translated by Sport Witness, Liverpool are battling Napoli for the 24-year-old’s signature and both clubs have agreed deals in principle.
It is understood that it’s now down to Pepe to decide which club he wants to join, although there are also two other unnamed clubs that are reportedly trying to sign the Ivory Coast international.
French newspaper La Voix du Nord claims that Lille want a huge £71.7million for Pepe, but based on his performances in Ligue 1 last season, Liverpool would be getting their money’s worth if they were able to land the dazzling forward.
Pepe scored 23 goals and supplied 12 assists in 41 appearances across all competitions as Lille finished second to only Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1.
Pepe’s best performance of the season arguably came against PSG when he scored one goal and assisted two others as Lille hammered the ultra-rich club 5-1 at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
The former Angers attacker also hit the back of the net in the other match against PSG, as well as games against Marseille, Lyon, Nice and Rennes to prove that he can perform in the bigger games of the league campaign.
What is truly impressive about Pepe’s form last season is how he stacks up against Mohamed Salah in terms of stats.
According to stats by WhoScored, Pepe completed more dribbles per league appearance and was dispossesed fewer times on average than Salah was in 2018/19.
Pepe also supplied more assists than the Egypt international and was caught offside on fewer occasions on average.
Pepe’s passing statistics were also way better than Salah’s in league football last season.
The Lille forward’s pass completion rate was better while he also averaged more passes per game and matched Salah for crosses and through balls.
It’s not to say that Pepe is better than Salah – he isn’t.
However these stats show that the Lille forward is someone who would be on the verge of Liverpool’s starting line-up next season if Edwards was able to lure him away from France, beating Napoli to his signature.
With a deal reportedly agreed in principle, the Reds are on the right tracks.
Now all they need to do is convince Pepe that Anfield is the right place for him.
