Aston Villa and Fulham are ready to battle rival clubs in their pursuit of FC Porto’s Brazilian winger Pepe.

Pepe could be living his final weeks at FC Porto as multiple top clubs are keen on signing the Brazilian winger ahead of next season. According to a report from ESPN, Aston Villa and Fulham are both interested in his signature and are willing to battle the likes of Nottingham Forest and Burnley.

Pepe came up the ranks at Gremio and made a name for himself while playing for their first team before joining FC Porto in the summer of 2021. The Portuguese giants forked out €15.4 million to add him to their squad.

Over the years, he has gone from strength to strength and has been a key part of their team. He has featured in a total of 192 matches for them and has contributed towards 55 goals. While the majority of his appearances have come on the right flank, he is capable enough to feature anywhere in attack.

Pepe to leave FC Porto this summer

Pepe still has two years left on his deal at the club, but it seems he is all set to part ways with the club this summer. After a disappointing Club World Cup campaign, the Portuguese club are looking to undergo a massive rebuild.

But, before they can make some prominent signings, they need to raise funds by cashing in on some of their stars. Pepe is one of the names on that list, and with no shortage of interest in him, Porto are hoping to make a decent profit from his departure.

Premier League clubs to battle for the Brazilian winger

Aston Villa and Fulham are two clubs that are very keen on signing the 28-year-old winger. With Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio returning to their parent clubs, Unai Emery seeks more options on the flanks, and Pepe could certainly help.

Meanwhile, Marco Silva is also in search of more quality on the flanks. With Willian’s contract running out and Reiss Nelson likely to return to his parent club, Pepe could prove to be a great acquisition for them.

While both Villa and Fulham have opened talks with the Brazilian forward, they will have to battle the likes of Nottingham Forest and newly promoted Burnley. The Clarets seek more firepower as they prepare for their return to the top flight.

Players like Pepe could help them survive in the Premier League. As far as the Tricky Trees are concerned, they want more competition on the flanks, and the 28-year-old certainly has the quality to battle for a place in the starting XI.