Arsenal Transfers: Gunners reach agreement with Nice over Nicolas Pepe loan

Arsenal have reached an agreement with Ligue 1 outfit Nice for the season-long loan of outcasted winger Nicolas Pepe.

Pepe was signed from Lille in a club-record £72m transfer three years ago and while the Ivorian has flashed his talent in north London, he’s failed to fully garner the trust of Mikel Arteta. Pepe scored ten Premier League goals during the 2020/21 season, but his minutes dwindled in 2021/22 as Bukayo Saka appeared in every league game for the Gunners.

An indifferent pre-season meant Pepe was always going to depart this summer, but Arsenal would only facilitate his exit if they had a replacement lined up. On Monday, it was revealed that the Gunners are prioritising a move for Wolves’ Pedro Neto, while the likes of Wilfried Zaha and Yeremy Pino have also been linked.

Arsenal reach agreement with Nice over Nicolas Pepe loan

The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported on Wednesday evening that an agreement has been reached between Arsenal and Nice for the season-long loan of Pepe.

However, the French club with have no option to buy the Ivorian outright following the conclusion of his loan – which isn’t ideal.

Ornstein adds that while Arsenal are in the market for a winger, nothing is advanced with any player at this stage. But, you have to imagine that the club are confident of bringing someone in.

For Pepe, a return to Ligue 1 is exactly what he needs. The maverick Ivorian has failed to establish himself in Arteta’s possession-oriented system, but he’ll be given the chance to thrive under Lucien Favre at Nice. The Swiss manager has struggled in France so far and Pepe could be the x-factor he needs to ignite his reign.

While the Arsenal winger is too carefree in possession for Arteta’s taste, Favre will undoubtedly make the most of Pepe’s capacity to wreak havoc in transition. That’s what made him a £72m player during his spell with Lille.