NEWCASTLE are in pole-position to sign highly rated Angers star Nicolas Pepe.
Newly promoted Toon are looking to build a squad to make a real fist of the Premier League next season, and have identified the winger as a summer target.
The 21-year-old Ivory Coast star has helped unfashionable Angers to the French Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday, which could be his final game in France.
However, L’Equipe claim Magpies boss Rafa Benitez will face stiff competition from Monaco, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Wolfsburg and Hamburg in the Bundesliga.
Despite unconfirmed reports of an £8million move in January, Benitez is ready to pounce this summer.
The Spaniard personally ran the rule over the winger when the Ivory Coast drew with France last November.
The winger was also the subject of interest from relegated Hull City in January.
After high success rate early on, Newcastle has been hit and miss with Ligue 1 recruitment in recent years.
Remy Cabella was signed from Marseille in 2014 for £8m, and was back with the French side within year on-loan.
Cabella deal was part of the agreement that took Florian Thauvin from Marseille to St James’ Park.
The Frenchman was another Toon disaster, making just 13 appearances before he made his way back to Marseille on loan.
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