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Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez leads race ahead of Monaco for Angers winger Nicolas Pepe

Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez knows he needs to add to his squad in the summer or it could be another top flight season where the Toon are battling to beat the drop

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.

 Nicolas Pepe is wanted by Newcastle United
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Nicolas Pepe is wanted by Newcastle UnitedCredit: Getty Images

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.


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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.

 Rafa Benitez will look to strengthen his promoted squad this summer
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Rafa Benitez will look to strengthen his promoted squad this summerCredit: PA:Press Association
 Pepe was attracting interest from Hull in January
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Pepe was attracting interest from Hull in JanuaryCredit: Getty Images
 Pepe has one cap for Ivory Coast
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Pepe has one cap for Ivory CoastCredit: Getty Images

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.

 Remy Cabella flopped at Newcastle
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Remy Cabella flopped at NewcastleCredit: Action Images
 And so did the man who replaced him Florian Thauvin
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And so did the man who replaced him Florian ThauvinCredit: Getty Images

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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