Arsenal are in talks with OGC Nice over Nicolas Pepe, with optimism over the deal and a sense it will increase the chances of a winger signing.

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)

David Ornstein reports for The Athletic that Arsenal are in talks with Nice over a loan move for Nicolas Pepe, with “hope” it gets over the line.

Ornstein adds that Arsenal’s chances of signing a winger this summer are believed to rest on Pepe leaving the club.

The report suggests the Gunners will only sign a player they believe truly improves the squad, but a winger is now the priority before the end of the window.

From France, Nice Matin and others report that a deal sending Pepe to Nice is very close, with the player excited about the Ligue 1 side’s project. But it’s not yet known whether there will be an option to buy.

Sacha Tavolieri reported earlier this week that Nice were getting closer to the loan signing of Pepe, and the print edition of L’Equipe on Thursday confirmed contact with the player’s representatives.

Ivory Coast's forward Nicolas Pepe (L) attends a training session on the eve of the friendly football match between France and Ivory Coast at the Velodrome Stadium in Marseille, southern France on March 24, 2022. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
Ivory Coast’s forward Nicolas Pepe (L) attends a training session on the eve of the friendly football match between France and Ivory Coast at the Velodrome Stadium in Marseille, southern France on March 24, 2022. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via 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 would be difficult.

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

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