Arsenal star Nicolas Pepe ‘closing in’ on Nice loan transfer to link up with Aaron Ramsey and get £72m flop off books

ARSENAL are getting closer to offloading Nicolas Pepe with OGC Nice interested, according to reports.

The winger is reportedly nearing a deal that would see him join the French club on loan.

The Ivorian's agent was allegedly spotted at Nice's stadium over the weekend as he looks to secure a move for his client.

Pepe, 27, has failed to reach his potential consistently at the Gunners following a massive club record £72million transfer from Lille back in 2019.

Back then he came off the back of a sensational season in Ligue 1 netting 22 times.

But Pepe has been unable to replicate that level of success in the Premier League.

He has scored 27 goals in 112 games and is now firmly second choice behind Bukayo Saka.

With minutes restricted and him supposedly on sizeable wages, Mikel Arteta has been desperate to offload him this summer.

He may not be the only player heading for the exit door in the coming days with Hector Bellerin linked with a switch to both Barcelona and Real Betis.

If Pepe joins Nice he will team-up with former Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey.

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The club is owned by Jim Ratcliffe, who is interested in purchasing Manchester United, and he is splashing the cash this transfer window.

They have already signed Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and remain keen on Blackburn striker Ben Brereton Diaz.

Ratcliffe is using his British links to secure deals and bolster the squad as he aims to get them competing in the Champions League after narrowly missing out last season.