Nicolas Pepe nears Arsenal exit

Nice have agreed a loan transfer deal to sign former Lille midfielder Nicolas Pepe on loan from Arsenal for the 2022-23 season, with a deal set to be announced before the weekend. The Ivory Coast international has been informed that he is no longer needed by the club, and can leave on a temporary basis.

Nice have agreed a deal in principle to sign Pepe, but also have requested the inclusion of a first option on a permanent transfer for the winger, and Arsenal are only seeking a fee of 25 million euros for the player that the club paid a massive £72 million for.

Newcastle are also amongst the clubs monitoring Pepe's situation, and are believed to be readying a last minute offer to Arsenal for the player's services.

It is understood that Arsenal would prefer to sell the player immediately and Mikel Arteta is ready to cut his losses.

Pepe arrived with much fanfare in 2019, but the 27-year-old has found himself as an outcast in recent months after being given many chances in the club's first team.