Real Madrid’s target Pepe opens up on his future plans

According to the numerous reports, Madrid are keeping close tabs on Lille in-form player, Nicolas Pepe. The Ivory Coast international is the main candidate to play alongside Benzema next season and his goal-scoring prowess is truly awe-inspiring.

The player himself, meanwhile, admits being fully focused on playing out the remainder of the season:

“We don’t talk about it, the season is not over yet,” he said when asked about his next move, via Calcio Mercato.

“Once it is finished we will be able to talk about it, but now no.”

Lille’s coach Christophe Galtier thinks it would be really challenging to keep the player at the club: “It’s difficult to keep these type of players in our league. When the biggest clubs in Europe call you, it’s really complicated. If Nicolas keeps going like this, he will be on the shortlist of all of Europe’s big clubs. The player’s desire is also important. I am sure that, if the moment comes, everything will be very transparent. We will all try to find the best solution possible.”

Lille still have two games to play in the current Ligue 1 campaign and are currently second, six points ahead of third-placed Lyon, meaning Les Dogues have all but secured CL football for the first time since 2014.