24 Jul 2019 08:45:16
The French press are claiming United made a bid to Lille but it was rejected by the club. They also claim Pépé has agreed to join in principle if the clubs do agree on a fee. His preferred option would be PSG, but they do not seem interested, Napoli are also considering a bid.


1.) 24 Jul 2019
24 Jul 2019 10:20:59
Well unless Lille have allowed Pepe and his agent to speak to United then any agreed deal would be tapping up.

I would suggest Lille are unlikely to allow that to happen unless they feel they will get an acceptable bid.

So either this a complete poppycock, or United might have bid close to an acceptable amount. Or option three, United did bid, it was rejected and the media outlet have used "poetic licence" to add the bit about Pepe agreeing to join United.


2.) 24 Jul 2019
24 Jul 2019 10:56:56
Not sure how it works exactly, but wouldn't the club be allowed to begin talks with the player in order to see if there is interest before making a formal bid (if the selling club permits of course)? From what I gathered with De Ligt, there was contact with Juventus while the clubs negotiated fees.

Lille's president has agreed to let Pepe leave (and has even said a transfer is close), does that not allow him and his agent to approach other teams to seek a deal, it would be as much in the interest of Lille as it would for Pepe?


3.) 24 Jul 2019
24 Jul 2019 11:17:36
Within the rules of the game, Pepe and/ or his agent can only discuss a deal with another club IF his club have given them their permission.

{Ed002's Note - His agent can speak to whoever he wants.}


4.) 24 Jul 2019
24 Jul 2019 11:24:59
Clubs speak to agents first to understand if the player will be interested in the move and in the terms proposed based on the perceived value to the squad / budget available etc. They can approach the selling club before or after this as this has no bearing on if the fee will be agreed. if pepe has agreed terms with us it does not mean that we will agree a fee with lille. I hope we steer clear given the concerns about the players attitude.


5.) 24 Jul 2019
24 Jul 2019 15:51:48
Clubs clearly speak to agents first to sound a player out then go the players club.


6.) 24 Jul 2019
24 Jul 2019 17:33:59
Shappy more nonsense statement of facts.
Where do you get this stuff from or do you just make it up for the fun of it.
Agents can talk to any club at anytime about a player.


7.) 24 Jul 2019
24 Jul 2019 17:35:54
I wonder should you talk to your wife niece uncle and aunt shappy because i can't think of any reason 4 people on this site could agree with that and give a thumbs up😂😂😂.


8.) 24 Jul 2019
24 Jul 2019 18:09:34
Ed002, so what constitutes "tapping-up" then?

{Ed002's Note - Making a direct approach to the player without any permission from his club.}


9.) 24 Jul 2019
24 Jul 2019 19:18:29
Sorry to bug you about it Ed, but does his agent need permission from the club to talk to other clubs?

{Ed002's Note - No.}


10.) 24 Jul 2019
24 Jul 2019 19:45:57
So it really is a pointless regulation, as 99% have an agent and they almost entirely arrange a players affairs.

What does it matter if a player is spoken to directly or through his agent.


11.) 24 Jul 2019
24 Jul 2019 20:15:22
Cause its seen as directly tapping up a player maybe?


12.) 24 Jul 2019
24 Jul 2019 20:17:02
I don't disagree with there being very little difference shappy.
But its cleaner and puts gap between any player a prospective buyer while contracted to another club.
All clubs can deny the opportunity for a player to talk to any club while under contract.


13.) 24 Jul 2019
24 Jul 2019 21:09:19
I have just brought a very fine "french press" its insulted you now.