Bayern Munich closing in on Lille’s Nicolas Pépé as talks progress

Bayern Munich might be edging closer to securing a summer transfer for Lille’s Nicolas Pépé, a player who has been on the club’s radar for some time. Per a report by Foot Mercato in France, members of Bayern’s front office met with some of Pépé’s representatives in Paris, France to further negotiations for a potential transfer.

The report suggests that the conversations held during the meeting were “positive” and also claims that Bayern is in the “pole position” to sign 23-year-old Ivorian. Other clubs in Europe have shown keen interest in signing him, including Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, but Bayern remains the front-runner. Pépé’s transfer fee is estimated at around €80m, the same price that Bayern just paid to sign Lucas Hernandez from Atletico Madrid.

That amount comes on top of the €35m paid to VfB Stuttgart for Benjamin Pavard. Of the €200m summer splurge that Bayern’s front office has promised, Hernandez, Pavard and (potentially) Pépé would account for approximately €195m. If Bayern were to complete the signing of Pépé, that would limit their funds for further signings, but the final amount also depends on how much money they’re able to bring in from offloading players.

€80m may seem steep for such a young player who hasn’t yet played for a “big” cub, but Pépé would fit the billing perfectly a Bayern. He can play either wide or centrally, he has incredible pace and vision, and he’s instinctive in front of goal, a combination of skills that not all of Bayern’s attacking players possess. The Bundesliga is also an entirely different beast to Ligue 1. Pépé would have to adjust to the style of play and physicality in Germany, but it’s a risk Bayern may be willing to take for a young player with such massive potential.

Here’s a little taste of what he’s been doing for Lille and could potentially do for Bayern:

We’d like to hear what everyone thinks on this one. €80m is steep, but would he be worth that considerable sum?