Nicolas Pepe isn’t set to stay with OGC Nice beyond the end of the current campaign, according to reports from France.

Lorient's French midfielder Romain Faivre (L) fights for the ball with Nice's Ivorian forward Nicolas Pepe during the French L1 football match between OGC Nice and FC Lorient at the Allianz Riviera Stadium in Nice, south-eastern France, on March 19, 2023. (Photo by VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images)
Lorient’s French midfielder Romain Faivre (L) fights for the ball with Nice’s Ivorian forward Nicolas Pepe during the French L1 football match between OGC Nice and FC Lorient at the Allianz Riviera Stadium in Nice, south-eastern France, on March 19, 2023. (Photo by VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images)

L’Equipe (via Sport Witness) report that Nicolas Pepe is heading for the exit with OGC Nice, with the Ligue 1 club not set to sign the winger permanently after his loan spell ends.

Pepe’s deal didn’t contain an option to buy to begin with, so it was always fairly unlikely he would move there for good. But it seems Nice aren’t planning to push the issue through negotiations with Arsenal.

You’d imagine Pepe isn’t hugely keen to join Nice permanently either.

It looks like they’ll miss out on any kind of European football for next season, after their elimination from the Europa Conference League on Thursday, so he’ll probably be setting his sights elsewhere.

Latest Arsenal injury updates and news

Pepe was returning from injury in that game on Thursday, and he’s been limited to 23 starts in all competitions this season as a result of his fitness setbacks.

The 27-year-old has eight goals in those games, making him Nice’s second top-scorer behind Gaetan Laborde.

Nice's Ivorian forward Nicolas Pepe (R) celebrates with Nice's French defender Melvin Bard after scoring his team's third goal during the French L1 football match between OGC Nice and Montpellier Herault SC at the Allianz Riviera Stadium in Nice, south-eastern France, on January 11, 2023. - (Photo by VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images)
Nice’s Ivorian forward Nicolas Pepe (R) celebrates with Nice’s French defender Melvin Bard after scoring his team’s third goal during the French L1 football match between OGC Nice and Montpellier Herault SC at the Allianz Riviera Stadium in Nice, south-eastern France, on January 11, 2023. (Photo by VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images)

Though Nice don’t have a huge amount to play for in their remaining games, Pepe still has an opportunity to impress in the final month or so of the campaign.

If he’s not going to Nice, it’s up to him to catch the eye back in north London and across Europe before he faces a summer decision on his future.

Latest Arsenal injury updates and news