Nicolas Pepe set to join OGC Nice on loan

Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe is set for a season-long loan move to OGC Nice, according to French outlet L’Equipe.

Per the report, the Ligue 1 outfit have reached an agreement with the player over the issue of his wages but they were unable to include a purchase option in the deal.

Pepe is yet to feature in any Premier League game this term and has struggled to find his feet at Arsenal since his club-record move to the club back in 2019 when he arrived in north London with a weight of expectations on him.

The Ivorian, who is expected to be available for selection this weekend by his would-be new employers, will team up with ex-Arsenal player Aaron Ramsey at the Allianz Riviera.

A return to France could help reignite Pepe’s career

Prior to his move to Arsenal, Pepe racked up 33 direct league goal contributions in his final season at Lille which convinced Arsenal to splash £72m to acquire his services the following summer.

The 27-year-old netted just five league goals in his debut season at the Emirates Stadium, although he did double that tally in the subsequent campaign before managing just one strike in 20 league matches last time out.

While Pepe has shown intermittent flashes of his undeniable ability, he is yet to truly warrant a starting berth in Mikel Arteta’s starting XI.

Bukayo Saka’s emergence has also limited Pepe’s chances of securing regular game time and a short-term move away from Arsenal would be in the best interest of all parties.

For Pepe, an opportunity to feature more consistently awaits at Nice, while Arsenal would be freeing up their wage bill and space in the squad for a potential new winger.

Yeremy Pino and Pedro Neto are the prime targets currently being discussed, but a move for Wilfried Zaha cannot be ruled out yet before the end of the summer window on September 1.