Napoli forget about James and look towards the star of Ligue 1
Given the difficulty in signing James Rodriguez, Napoli have turned their focus towards Pepe. Lille's star player who many European clubs are interested in.
Nicolas Pepe is determined to leave Lille this season. The Ivorian attacker, who can play both on the wing and in the middle, had a brilliant season last term: he scored 23 goals and gave 12 assists.
The problem Pepe is finding is the asking price his club have put on him. PSG have shown interest in him, but Lille have made it clear that he will not go for less than 80 million euros.
Arsenal, keen on players which strengthen their attack, are also after him. No negotiations have ended up coming to fruition so Napoli could come in ahead of everyone else and get the 24 year-old.
Both Ancelotti and the Napoli squad have still got their eyes on James Rodriguez, who they wish to make their star signing.
'AS' pointed out Italian sources which say that Napoli are starting to abort their plan to sign James and look for someone else. They have not ruled out the Colombian completely, but they are aware of the difficulties the move entails.
Like Pepe's does so Lille have requested 60 million euros plus Ounas, a young Algerian talent who has been linked with Sevilla. Ounas was very good for Bordeaux when he was there between 2015 and 2017.