OGC Nice want to sign Nicolas Pepe on loan, according to various reports, after his agent was spotted attending their game on Sunday.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Junior Firpo of Leeds United marks Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leeds United at Emirates Stadium on May 08, 2022. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Junior Firpo of Leeds United marks Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leeds United at Emirates Stadium on May 08, 2022. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Foot Mercato reported on Tuesday that Ligue 1 side OGC Nice are interested in signing Arsenal’s Nicolas Pepe on a loan move, with the player himself also open to the transfer.

The player’s agent has already held talks with Nice, and he’s open to any summer offers.

Nice Matin confirm the news, writing that Nice have made first contact with Pepe’s camp. Again, they repeat that the deal would be a loan move and the winger isn’t against a return to Ligue 1.

In a slightly less substantial but still noteworthy hint on social media, Pepe’s agent was pictured on Instagram attending a match between Nice and Strasbourg at the weekend.

The agent also recently followed Nice on Instagram, for whatever that’s worth.

WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal during the Carabao Cup Second Round between West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal at The Hawthorns on August 25, 2021 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal during the Carabao Cup Second Round between West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal at The Hawthorns on August 25, 2021. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Goal reported in July that the expectation is that Pepe will leave Arsenal this summer, but finding a club willing to pay his £150,000-a-week wages as well as a significant transfer fee will be difficult.

As a result, the most likely outcome is reportedly a loan deal, perhaps with an option to buy.

Mark Mann-Bryans also wrote that Arsenal are openly looking for buyers for Pepe this summer.

The Gunners evidently haven’t had much success with that so far, but perhaps they’ve now found a loan destination for the forward.