Nicolas Pepe’s loan move to Nice isn’t ideal for Arsenal

Nicolas Pepe is closing in on a loan move to Nice in Ligue 1, but Arsenal would ideally like a permanent deal to be reached.

The 27-year-old’s Arsenal career has never really gotten off the ground. He has shown glimpses of his talent, but they have been fleeting at best.

With the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Emile Smith Rowe, and even new recruit Marquinhos above the Ivorian in Mikel Arteta’s pecking order, the writing was on the wall for Pepe this summer.

Signed from Lille back in 2019 for an eye-watering £72m, the winger has been much-maligned in north London and often the whipping boy. Last season, the 27-year-old was used sparingly by Arteta, featuring just 23 times in all competitions.

Nicolas Pepe’s loan move to Nice isn’t ideal for Arsenal

Pepe was an unused substitute for the opening two games this season and was not in the squad for Arsenal’s 3-0 over Bournemouth as he sought to finalise his loan deal.

A loan for Arsenal is likely not what the club wanted; instead, a permanent deal to further accumulate transfer funds to pursue Pedro Neto and possibly Youri Tielemans.

However, as teams know the Gunners want to cut ties, recouping even a quarter of the Ivorian’s initial £72m price tag is a serious ask. We have seen the ruthlessness of the club’s hierarchy regarding the culling of squad players, and it appears that the manager has just about got his perfect squad.

At least for now, a loan gets Pepe away from the club for the season and allows Arsenal to possibly pursue Neto from Wolves or even allow Marquinhos some minutes off the bench. Both options are considerably better than Pepe, who often seemed devoid of confidence.

We have seen how long it can take for players to move on permanently from the club, so next summer might be when Arsenal can cash in.

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For now, the Gunners will have to be content with a loan move for the Ivorian and hope that he sets the French league alight as he did when he was with Lille, which will bump up the asking price for him.

Either way, Arsenal had to do something as it became increasingly clear that Pepe was not part of Mikel Arteta’s plans. A loan move for the club is not ideal as they would have indeed preferred to recoup a fee for the 27-year-old, but beggars can’t be choosers.

A loan move is all that can happen, and at least it is a step in the right direction, even if it isn’t what the club ultimately wants.