Liverpool have told ESPN FC that information suggesting they are in concrete talks with Lille over the transfer of Nicolas Pepe is “pure lies.”

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The Premier League club insist no meetings or discussions of any sort have taken place for the 24-year-old, contrary to reports in France.

Earlier in June, Liverpool’s sporting director Michael Edwards personally reached out to Lille manager Christophe Galtier, informing him the European champions have “zero interest” in the Ivory Coast international.

Liverpool feel they are being used to escalate interest in Pepe, whose valuation is already around £70 million.

The versatile attacker has been linked to Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan, among others, as Lille aim to generate maximum profit from a key asset they are resigned to losing.

Pepe is expected to provide clarity on his destination of choice following his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations.