Pepe won’t leave in January

According to Mundo Deportivo, some strong words have come out from Lille president Gerard Lopez regarding the future of winger Nicolas Pepe. Asked about the possibility of the winger moving to Barcelona in January, he replied it wouldn’t happen even if Barcelona were to offer €100million.

Lopez explained what he meant by saying that the club wants the 23-year-old to stay where he is and the player himself wants the same, so that is what is going to happen. Lille’s general director Marc Ingla, who was once the vice-president of Barcelona, also weighed in with his own stance. However, the figures he mentioned were slightly more modest. Ingla spoke to French television Canal + and revealed that the club won’t even think about allowing the winger to leave mid-season, even if they are offered a sum of €50million or €60million. It appears all the exit doors will be closed for Pepe until the summer of 2019.

Apart from Barcelona, Manchester City and Arsenal have also been credited with interest in his services.