Manchester United have progressed discussions with Lille over the transfer of Nicolas Pepe. According to a source close to him, United last week advanced a long-standing interest in the forward, who is valued by the French club at more than £70m.

Arsenal, Everton and Liverpool are among the other Premier League sides pursuing Pepe, who has suitors in La Liga and Serie A. Liverpool are yet to make an offer to Lille for the Ivorian, instead contacting representatives to assess his willingness to join them.

Named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year after scoring 22 times in Lille’s run to a second-place finish and Champions League qualification, Pepe, 24, has three years remaining on his contract. Lille’s president Gerard Lopez has been open