Christophe Galtier: 'Nicolas Pepe must go to Champions League club'

Lille manager Christophe Galtier has told Manchester United that they will have to finish in the top four this season to stand a chance of bringing Nicolas Pepe to the club.

United, in addition to Arsenal and Barcelona, have been strongly linked with the 23-year-old in recent weeks.

Lille sporting director Luis Campos has admitted that his club would "have to sell" the attacker if they received a "really good proposal" in this summer's transfer window.

However, Galtier has insisted that Pepe "has to go to a Champions League club".

"He has to go to a Champions League club. In my opinion, an intermediate step is not necessary [for him] to go as high as possible," The Mirror quotes Galtier as saying.

"I see him as good with a team that plays all in red and likes to put wingers on the side of their weaker feet."

Pepe, who is a 10-time Ivory Coast international, has scored 17 times and registered 11 assists in 28 appearances for Lille this season.

Campos has previously claimed that Pepe could be available for £72m in this summer's transfer window.

United, meanwhile, are currently fifth in the Premier League table, one point off fourth-placed Arsenal ahead of Wednesday night's trip to Crystal Palace.