According to German news outlet Sport Bild, as cited by Sport Witness, Manchester City are ready to vie with Bayern Munich in the race to land the Ligue 1 starlet Nicolas Pepe. The player has been in brilliant form this season for his club Lille and has been tracked by a number of big name clubs from all over Europe.
The Citizens, meanwhile, have consolidated their position at the top of the Premier League table after a little struggle towards the end of the last year. Their prolific performances day in day out in every competition this season has been a real treat to watch not only for the City fans but all the football lovers in the world, who have been mesmerised by their consistent displays on the pitch.
The free-flowing football that has been inserted into the DNA of the side by Pep Guardiola has been well carried out by the likes of Sergio Aguero, Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling so far this season. Their position on the top of the Premier League table is a well-deserved one. Also, from the decision of moving for the Ivorian forward in the next transfer window, it is evident that the Spanish gaffer already has an eye on the future.
The 23-year-old winger has taken the Ligue 1 by storm this season with 17 goals in 28 matches so far this season. He has also shown signs of being a perfect team player with a total of 10 assists in the league so far. This proves that he is more than capable of being a part of the Manchester City squad under Guardiola if they can land him next summer.
The fight for a first-team place among the Citizens is always extreme, but we believe the Ligue 1 man would be up for the contest. If Pepe comes into the team in the summer, it would be difficult for him to establish himself as a regular first-team performer at the Etihad Stadium. However, it would also be a great learning curve for him, and the intense fight for places would surely help him perform at his best.
With the likes of Sterling, Mahrez and Sane; Guardiola is well stacked when it comes to wingers. However, the arrival of a player like Pepe would strengthen their options to go forward, and physicality of the player would add an extra edge to their attack. So the inclusion of the Ivorian would be a no-brainer for the Spanish gaffer in his pursuit to establish his dominance in the Premier League as well as European competition in the future.
