Liverpool close in on £70m first summer signing

Image via 234sport Liverpool are closing in on a £70m move for in-demand Lille winger Nicolas Pepe, according to L’Equipe. The 24-year-old has scored 22 goals and contributed 11 assists to lead Lille to second in the Ligue 1 table.Lille boss Christophe Galtier confirmed last month Pepe would be set for a summer departure."Nicolas Pepe will leave," Galtier said in an interview with Canal+."Life's like that, football's like that today. "He is a player of the highest level who will have a big decision to make on the choice of his next club."There will be a battle between the great European teams."I hope that he will take good amount of time to think about it, do his research."The Ivory Coast international is set to be in action in the African Cup of Nations this summer, where he is expected to have a big part to play. Inter Milan reportedly offered £60m for Pepe but Liverpool are the front runners for his services.

Manchester United to make first summer transfer as Swansea youngster arrives for medical