Newcastle part of Europe-wide chase for Angers starlet Nicolas Pepe

Championship winners Newcastle United are targeting a summer move for Angers starlet Nicolas Pepe, according to The Sunderland Echo.

The 21-year-old, who will turn 22 on Monday, has enjoyed a solid season with the French outfit, bagging three goals in 33 Ligue 1 appearances to help the side to a 12th place finish in the top-flight, ten points clear of the relegation play-off position.

The Ivory Coast international, who made his senior debut for his country against France in November of last year, has also appeared four times in Angers’ wonderful run to the Coupe de France final, where they will face Paris Saint-Germain this afternoon.

And Pepe’s decent form this term has attracted interest from around Europe, with Rafa Benitez’s Magpies reportedly one of several clubs around the continent targeting a move for the 21-year-old this summer.

The North East giants will be playing Premier League football next season after clinching automatic promotion at the first time of asking, and they in fact pipped Chris Hughton’s Brighton to the title on the final day by beating Barnsley 3-0, while the Seagulls could only draw at Aston Villa.

Nonetheless, their focus is already on their return to the top-flight, and reports suggest that Pepe could be joining Christian Atsu in making the move to St James’ Park this summer, although the Magpies will likely face competition from AS Monaco, Marseille, and Wolfsburg for the 21-year-old’s signature.

Clearly, Pepe is in-demand, but whether he moves to Newcastle or indeed another side in Europe very much remains to be seen.