Liverpool Face Barcelona Threat For 16-Goal Ligue 1 Attacker

Premier League title contenders Liverpool will do well to fend off the threat of Spanish champions Barcelona in the wake of the news that the Nou Camp giants have joined the race to sign Lille attacker Nicolas Pepe.

France Football claim that the Blaugrana sent scouts to watch the Ivorian international star in action for his Lille side in their last league game.

Barcelona scouts were in attendance as Lille played out a goalless draw at home to Montpellier on Sunday.

Barcelona are not the only club keen on a move for the 23-year-old.

• Chelsea Join Bayern, Barcelona In De Ligt Race

Major European clubs like Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Liverpool have all been linked with a move for the exciting winger in recent weeks.

Recent reports claim that Lille have already slapped a £60m asking price on him.

Lille manager Christopher Galtier had earlier revealed that Pepe is just a step below French Ligue 1 stars like Kylian Mbappe and Neymar who both play for Paris Saint Germain (PSG).

The Lille boss believes that Nicolas Pepe is ready to make the transition to a major European club.

Pepe has been in devastating form for Lille in the league this season with a return of 16 goals and eight assists in 25 league games.