Inter’s pursuit of Lille forward Nicolas Pepe is all but over as the club remain hostage to the situation surrounding Mauro Icardi, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
The Nerazzurri cannot afford to make a big-money signing in attack unless they can raise funds from selling the 26-year-old, who has consistently reiterated his desire to stay in Milan.
Gazzetta today reported Inter are ‘not in the condition to step up their pursuit’ of Pepe, with Liverpool, Manchester United and Atletico Madrid all expressing an interest in the 24-year-old.
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.
The winger scored 23 goals and provided 12 assists as Lille secured second place in Ligue 1 last season.
Inter had been preparing to step up their pursuit of the Ivory Coast international after approving his name during transfer summits with new head coach Antonio Conte, but it no longer seems likely.
