Napoli manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed Nicolas Pepe's agent was at the Italian club's team hotel to thrash out transfer negotiations.
The news will come as a blow to Manchester United, who have been strongly linked with a move for the Ivorian forward.
The Red Devils are looking at Pepe as a possible replacement for Romelu Lukaku, who is an Inter Milan target and has been tipped to leave in the summer transfer window.
But they'll have to move quick if they are to beat Napoli to his signature.
"I've met with Pepe's agents," confirmed Ancelotti. "They were at our hotel.
"It is normal that we would meet to discuss eventual negotiations. It is pointless to hide it with his agents here: we are interested in Pepe.
"Pepe is a wide attacking player. We want to find someone who can play between the lines, without forgetting that Milik is a centre-forward, but also strong with his feet."
Ancelotti's admission comes as Pepe's agent Samir Khiat took to social media to deny Pepe is on the verge of signing for Manchester United.
Khiat uploaded a tweet claiming Pepe was close to joining the Old Trafford club and wrote "fake news" alongside it.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has already completed the signings of Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka this summer but is in the market for new recruits.
Harry Maguire remains high up on the Red Devils' wishlist, but United have yet been able to convince Leicester City to lower their £80million price tag.
Sean Longstaff is also a United target but the Red Devils are yet to test Newcastle's resolve with a bid for the Englishman.
