Arsenal star Nicolas Pepe is edging closer to an exit from the Emirates Stadium this summer as talks progress over a loan deal with OGC Nice football.london understands.
Pepe completed a £72million move from Lille back in 2019 but has since struggled to replicate the fine form he showed during his time in France. The Ivorian winger has fallen down the pecking order in Mikel Arteta's side after the emergence of talents Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli, with Pepe making just a handful of appearances last term.
Arsenal are thought to be interested in signing a new winger this summer with Pedro Neto, Yeremy Pino and Cody Gakpo all having been linked with a move to north London. A move for one of those players may hinge upon Pepe leaving the club this summer however, and football.london understands that that is becoming more of a possiblity.
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Pepe is thought to be open to a move and changed his agent this summer in order to try and facilitate an exit. His new representative Luis Ferrer shared a photo from Ligue 1 side Nice's Allianz Riviera Stadium last weekend, and football.london understands that the player is open to the move.
The Gunners may have to subsidise Pepe's £140,000-a-week wage to secure an agreement with Nice over a season-long loan deal for the Ivory Coast international. At time of writing it is not clear if an option to buy will be inserted into the deal. Pepe looks set to link up with former Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey after the Welsh midfielder joined the French club following his free transfer from Juventus.
The 27-year-old leaving could now open up room in Arteta's squad for technical director Edu to look at making a move for heavily linked Wolves star Pedro Neto. The Portuguese winger is thought to be available to sign this summer after being offered to a number of top Premier League clubs.
Neto fits the correct profile for the Gunners who are in the market for a new attacker to challenge the likes of Saka, Smith Rowe and Martinelli. The Wolves starlet has plenty of Premier League experience, as well as lots of potential to grow into a world-class forward as he progresses in his career with Arsenal expected to have to fight off competition from Manchester United and Chelsea should they make an approach for the 22-year-old.
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