Manchester United overtake Real Madrid, Arsenal, Liverpool in the race for Ligue 1 Star

The Red Devils have kick started advanced talks to purchase £70 million-rated Nicolas Pepe from French Ligue 1 side Lille OSC.

Arsenal, Liverpool, as well as Real Madrid are among the top sides pursuing Pepe who had a sensational season with Lille last season.

Manchester United manager Ole Gunner Solskjaer is believed to be pushing for the signing of the Ivorian forward who he sees as the ideal replacement for Inter Milan-bound Romelu Lukaku.

The big Belgian forward is wanted by Antonio Conte, manager of the San Siro giants, with United having rejected two bids already, the last of which was reported to be £54 million.

The Old Trafford landlords want close to £70 million for the former Chelsea and Everton forward.

That is the amount needed to tempt Lille to sell their prized star.

The Ivorian forward endured a dismal time at the Africa Cup of Nations, where he did not score a goal and was relegated to a bit part role as Ivory Coast were knocked out in the quarterfinals by eventual champions Algeria.

But Pepe, 24, had already built up a reputation as an exciting forward by scoring 22 goals in Lille’s run to a second-place finish and Champions League qualification.

That goal haul also saw Pepe become the top marksman in France – second only to PSG’s Kylian Mbappe. He was subsequently named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year.

Nicolas Pepe has three years remaining on his Lille contract.