Liverpool 'make contact with Lille over Nicolas Pepe' as they look to beat Chelsea to signing of £70m forward By Daniel Matthews For Mailonline Published: 07:45 BST, 22 April 2019 | Updated: 07:50 BST, 22 April 2019 Viewcomments Liverpool have reportedly made contact with Lille as they look to pip their Premier League rivals to the signing of striker Nicolas Pepe. It was claimed last week that Chelsea were ready to splash £70million on the 23-year-old after identifying him as their No 1 target to replace Eden Hazard, who could move to Real Madrid. But now reports in France suggest Liverpool have stolen a march in the race for Pepe's signature by asking Lille about his availability. Liverpool have reportedly made contact with Lille as they look to sign striker Nicolas Pepe This season the 23- year-old has netted 20 times and picked up 14 assists in 36 appearances Chelsea, meanwhile, are now believed to be deciding whether to pursue Pepe or Barcelona's Philippe Coutinho. Only Kylian Mbappe has scored more Ligue 1 goals than Pepe this season. Across all competitions the 23- year-old has netted 20 times and picked up 14 assists in 36 appearances. That return has brought him to the attention of clubs around Europe, who will be scrambling to add reinforcements when the summer transfer window opens at the end of the season. Reports suggest Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool have stolen a march in the race for Pepe's signature It's claimed Chelsea have identified Pepe as their No 1 summer target to replace Eden Hazard Pepe's goalscoring form has also helped Lille up to second in the Ligue 1 standings and club president Gerard Lopez admits they will struggle to prevent him leaving. 'Four or five players will be leaving this summer,' he told Telefoot. 'All clubs are forced to balance their accounts except perhaps one. I would say yes, it is sure he (Pepe) will leave. 'He enters a price range that can no longer be paid. There is a career choice to make for him, I think he will have the choice.' Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility