The top of the Ligue 1 table is looking a bit odd these days, with Lille of all teams sitting in second spot, five points off PSG.
After just missing out on relegation last term after Marcelo Bielsa was appointed, and then subsequently left after 13 games, they are flying high this term under Christophe Galtier.
And that is in no small way thanks to the on-field performances of one man.
Marcelo Bielsa is a managerial genius. Pic: Matthew Lewis/UEFA POOL/PA Wire.
Nicolas Pepe has been in blistering form, scoring four and assisting three in just six games.
And of course, this kind of form never goes unnoticed, with rumours abound he is already being tracked for a January swoop by both Arsenal and Manchester United.
Unai Emery has been watching Pepe. Pic: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
France Football is reporting that both clubs are all over the 23-year-old prodigy and are prepared to go to war to land him.
Mourinho badly needs a pacy attacker on the right-hand side while Arsenal have deployed Mesut Ozil down that side thus far but would likely to prefer to move him into a more central role.
Mourinho doesn’t trust this pair on the right. Pic: Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images
If huge offers come in January it would be difficult to see Lille being in a position to refuse but do they want another Hazard-esque loss to their squad?
Nicolas Pepe of Lille. Pic: Aude Alcover/Icon Sport via Getty Images
Lille’s president has already said he snubbed a €30m offer for the player over the summer so it’s safe to assume anything below at least €40m or €50m won’t be considered if the two Premier League clubs come knocking after Christmas.
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