Sky Sports reports that Napoli have agreed a deal in principle to sign Ivory Coast winger Nicolas Pepe, says Lille president Gerard Lopez.

The 24-year-old has been linked with a move to several top European clubs – including Manchester United – after scoring 23 goals in 41 appearances last season, firing Lille to a second-placed finish in Ligue 1.

Earlier this week, Lille president Gerard Lopez revealed the future of the in-demand winger is close to being decided, while Pepe stated in February he was open to a move away from the French side.

“Napoli have satisfied our request of 80m euros. Now it will be up to the player to decide where to go, also on the basis of other proposals that his agents received from four clubs,” Lopez told Tuttosport.

“Pepe will return from his holidays on Monday and I think that he will make his mind up halfway through the week.

“We asked him to stay last year and promised him we would have let him go during this transfer window.”

Pepe’s agent Samir Khiat and his staff visited Napoli’s training base in Dimaro on Thursday to undergo talks with the Serie A board over personal terms.

Sky Sports

Kelvin Trudeau Musako

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