Newcastle have lost out on signing Nicolas Pepe.
According to a report on TalkSPORT the Angers striker has signed a five year contract with Lille rather than make the move to Newcastle.
Pepe’s name featured strongly in the scouting reports that Rafa Benitez received last season despite scoring just twice in 11 appearances for Angers.
The industrious 21-year-old was viewed as the perfect support striker and someone that could flourish as Newcastle returned to the top flight.
Those hopes have been dashed with the Lille deal coming just as Tammy Abraham is expected to announce that he’ll be on loan at Swansea next season.
Benitez has been keen to bring in new faces early on in the transfer window but is finding players and agents happy to discuss Newcastle’s interest as they negotiate with other clubs.
Newcastle have a number of striking options to consider but after committing to Lille for the next five years Pepe can be discounted from that list.
