Nicolas Pepe looks set to become the latest high-profile exit at Arsenal this summer as talks over a loan move to OGC Nice appear to be progressing well.
Whilst the Gunners have been very active in bolstering their first-team squad by signing the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Fabio Vieira, they've also said goodbye to Alexandre Lacazette, Bernd Leno, Lucas Torreira, Matteo Guendouzi and Konstantinos Mavropanos permanently.
All those signings were made before Mikel Arteta was appointed as Arsenal head coach in December 2019 and he looks set to continue his ruthless squad overhaul by allowing Pepe - the club's £72m record signing during the Unai Emery era - to leave - albeit on loan for the remainder of the season.
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That's despite remaining tight-lipped on speculation linking the winger with a return to France after leaving the Ivory Coast international out of the matchday squad for the 3-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday evening: "We don’t talk about individuals," Arteta said when asked how close Pepe was to joining Nice.
"There were a few players that we have to leave out of the squad, unfortunately. It’s painful but we try to bring the team and the squad that is in the best condition to give us the best chance to win the game."
Having struggled for consistency to justify his enormous price tag, a return to France could be exactly what Pepe needs to get his career back on track. After all, his final season in Ligue 1 prior to joining the Gunners saw him score 22 goals and weigh in with a further 11 assists in 38 appearances.
Now should Pepe join Nice, he will become the latest Gunners first-team player to join a French club on loan this season after Folarin Balogun and Nuno Tavares. Interestingly, if a move is completed by next weekend's round of fixtures then he will be on course for an immediate Arsenal reunion.
Whilst Paris Saint-Germain vs AS Monaco is the big game from France's top-flight next Sunday, many Arsenal fans may find it worth tuning into Nice vs Marseille from the Allianz Riviera earlier in the afternoon as not only could Pepe make his debut for the home side, he could be in direct battle with Tavares.
Given the Ivorian's best position is as a right-winger, cutting in onto his stronger left foot, and Tavares has been operating at left-wing back under Igor Tudor, it's effectively a guarantee that the pair will cross paths if they're on the pitch at the same time and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top.
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