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This article is part of Football FanCast's Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news...

According to The Telegraph, Manchester United have made progress in their pursuit of Lille forward Nicolas Pepe, with talks now said to be at an advanced stage between the two clubs.

What's the word, then?

Well, it has been reported that Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool are also interested in landing the Ivory Coast international, who put his name up in lights thanks to his incredible form last season.

Merseyside rivals Everton have also expressed an interest in signing the 24-year-old, who finished behind only Kylian Mbappe in the Ligue 1 scoring ranks last term with 22 goals.

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Pepe also notched 11 assists, and it is evident as to why some of Europe's top clubs such as Inter Milan want him along with the aforementioned teams - the 6 foot forward is one of the hottest properties on the market.

Now or never for Liverpool 

Of course, interest in a player is all well and good, but making a significant move is an entirely different animal.

United seem to be the ones who have taken the first step in doing so. Talks are at an advanced stage, and with just a few weeks remaining of the transfer window, mere interest in transfer targets will need to be turned into concrete advances - we're looking at you, Liverpool.

If the Champions League winners really want Pepe, it is now or never for the Reds to get involved in negotiations with Lille as the Red Devils have done.

No such reports stating Liverpool are anything more than interested have arisen, so if that interest is genuine, the Merseysiders can't really hold out much longer with United as deep in negotiations as they reportedly are.

It is a real moment of truth in the whole transfer saga. If Liverpool truly want Pepe, they have to get up off their backside and join United in talks.