Newcastle and Watford are set to battle it out in the race to sign Angers star Nicolas Pepe, according to an Independent report.
The newspaper claims the French outfit are desperate to hold onto the speedy 22-year-old forward, and they are not willing to set an official asking price.
However, it is said sources “close to the deal” believe £15million may be enough to prise Pepe away.
The Ivorian was a mainstay of the Angers side last term, scoring three goals in 39 league and cup games, as well as providing three assists.
The pacey 22-year-old helped his side to a mid-table finish in Ligue 1, on their return to the French top-flight, and in doing so he caught the eye of several scouts.
He made the step up into Angers’ first team set up in the summer of 2015, but he was immediately loaned out to Ligue 2 outfit US Orleans.
Pepe’s performances in the 2016-17 campaign earned him a first call-up into the Ivory Coast national side, and he has since been capped on three occasions.
Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez is looking to bolster his squad, ahead of his side’s return to the English top-flight.
Meanwhile, the Hornets’ manager Marco Silva will be looking strengthen his team with hopes to build on the club’s 17th-place finish in last season’s Premier League.