Inter are preparing to step up their pursuit of Lille forward and Ivory Coast international Nicolas Pepe, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
Beppe Marotta and Piero Ausilio have been following the 24-year-old for more than a year, identifying him as an alternative for Juventus-bound Federico Chiesa.
The club have decided to make a move after approving his name during recent transfer summits with new head coach Antonio Conte.
Pepe is left-footed and usually players as a winger but he can also play as a second striker, standing out for physicality and dribbling ability.
“He is one of those players Inter’s management have earmarked as ‘must have’,” Gazzetta reported this morning.
“Pepe is a credible alternative to Chiesa, not so much for the position he plays in but for his future prospects.”
The winger scored 23 goals and provided 12 assists as Lille secured second place in Ligue 1 last season.
Inter believed he would have been perfect for former boss Luciano Spalletti and it appears Conte has given the player his thumbs up too.