Following a string of outgoings at Arsenal, technical director Edu has slowly but surely returned the club to a position where the focus can switch back to incomings before the window closes in just eight days' time.
The five additions made so far and the return of several loanees meant Mikel Arteta was working with a bloated squad which included players surplus to requirements. Nicolas Pepe finds himself as one of them and is closing in on a loan move to French side OGC Nice as a result, football.london understands.
Despite the Ivorian's future still being up in the air at the time, Arsenal decided to make a move for Leeds United's Raphinha before he eventually joined Barcelona earlier in the window. However, now that a resolution has been found for Pepe, the pursuit of a new winger is set to continue.
