Chelsea could make a move for Lille winger Nicolas Pepe if their transfer ban is lifted, according to reports in France.
It is believed that the Blues, along with Arsenal, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Barcelona are all tracking the 23-year-old.
Supporters think that returning to Eden Hazard‘s former club to sign the Belgian’s potential replacement could be a wise decision:
Another wizard from lille, if hazard is really leaving and we are allowed to sign players, I don't see why not
— Farhan Afiq J (@huntzhanz) 16 April 2019
Correct signing for me. Him and say Jovic. Starting to think we need new a new centre back to partner Tomori too.
— JohnS (@bluelondoner) 16 April 2019
Lille winger from Ivory Coast. Couldnt be more fitting for us.
— Sam (@PrimeAshCole) 16 April 2019
He is a great player
— Sorensceol ?? (@yvanleboss) 16 April 2019
Chelsea – Lille bromance ?
— W. A. H. (@higuadin) 16 April 2019
Get it done @ChelseaFC
— ʇɔǝɟɹǝd s,ʎpoqou (@ydobon78) 16 April 2019
Get him …
— Tharogba ——ཐར་ལོ (@Nyingchok) 16 April 2019
He’s a Chelsea fan
— Nicholas Benedict (@mailme2x) 16 April 2019
Yessss
— S (@TheBatsman23) 16 April 2019
Pepe will leave Lille this summer according to the Ligue One club’s president Gerard Lopez, but he could cost a sizeable fee.
A lot would have to go in Chelsea’s favour for the London side to pull off the transfer. For a start, FIFA would have to lift their transfer sanctions against the club on appeal.
With Lille almost guaranteed a place in next season’s Champions League, the Blues would need to be in the competition too for Pepe to want to move to Stamford Bridge.
Even then, the battle for his signature will be fierce with the Ivorian having scored 20 goals and provided 14 assists so far this campaign.
