Five-time European champions Barcelona sent scouts to run the rule over Lille winger Nicolas Pepe according to reports in Spain.
Spanish news outlet Sport revealed that Barcelona scouted two Lille forwards including the aforementioned Pepe last weekend.
Barcelona scouts were in attendance as Lille played a goalless draw with Montpellier at home as their unlikely title bid suffered a big setback.
Lille are the nearest challengers to league leaders Paris Saint Germain (PSG).
The Barcelona scouts watched two transfer interests namely Nicolas Pepe and Rafael Leao in action against Montpellier on Sunday.
Pepe and Rafael Leao have both been in superb form for a Lille side unexpectedly in the second spot on the French Ligue 1 table.
Nicolas Pepe has been the subject of transfer interest from several clubs including Barcelona and Arsenal.
Lille manager Christopher Galtier recently revealed that the Ivorian international star is ready to make the step up to a big club but he could be out of reach for the Gunners after Lille slapped a £60m ($78m) asking price on the 23-year-old.
Pepe has scored 16 goals and provided eight assists in 25 games in the league this season.
Other major European clubs like Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Chelsea have all been mentioned as a possible transfer destination for him.
