Nicolas Pepe DROPPED from Arsenal squad to face Bournemouth with record signing in transfer talks with Nice over loan
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NICOLAS PEPE has been dropped from Arsenal's squad to face Bournemouth.
The Gunners' record signing has not featured in either of their opening two Premier League matches against Crystal Palace and Leicester.
And he has now been discarded from Mikel Arteta's squad altogether ahead of the clash at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday evening.
Pepe has been linked with a loan move to Nice before the end of the summer transfer window.
He is thought to be keen on leaving the Emirates in search of more game time, despite arriving for £72million in 2019.
He has scored 27 goals in 112 appearances since joining from Lille three years ago.
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But he has largely been a disappointment since coming to England with a big reputation.
The Ivorian's agent was allegedly spotted at Nice's stadium over the weekend as he looks to secure a move for his client.
If Pepe joins Nice he will team-up with former Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey.
The club is owned by Jim Ratcliffe, who is interested in purchasing Manchester United, and he is splashing the cash this transfer window.
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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.
Meanwhile, Arsenal can go top of the Prem table with a win over Bournemouth.
Arteta's men have started the campaign with back-to-back wins and will be looking to continue that form away at Scott Parker's newly-promoted Cherries.