Arsenal have reportedly reached a full agreement with OGC Nice for the loan signing of Nicolas Pepe, despite late interest from other clubs.
The report states that Nice will partially cover his weekly £140k salary and the deal will not include an option or obligation to purchase.
Late interest was ignited by Leicester City with the Premier League side prepared to cover his wages in full but the final decision rested with Pepe.
The news was then backed up by heavyweight journalists, who confirmed the story on Twitter:
As per reports in France, Arsenal and Nice have now reached an agreement over Nicolas Pepe.
He will join on a loan for the season (no option to buy). Pepe will now travel to France to undergo his medical and finalise the move.
— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) August 24, 2022
🚨 OGC Nice reach agreement with Arsenal to sign Nicolas Pepe on season-long loan, no buy option. Still some work to do; aim is to complete deal for 27yo winger in coming days. #AFC remain in market but nothing close as things stand #OGCNice @TheAthleticUK https://t.co/8VWWFo3DTD
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 24, 2022
Nicolas Pépé to OGC Nice, verbal agreement completed with Arsenal in the afternoon. Main part of salary to be covered by French club. 🚨🔴 #AFC #OGCNice
Documents to be prepared soon – it’s loan deal with no buy option clause as expected. ⤵️ https://t.co/o11Ca9JS4k
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 24, 2022
It’s believed his desire is to return to France where he first made his name at Lille before Arsenal made him their club record signing, paying £72m for his services.
But since then, things haven’t really worked out for the Ivorian and he will now play away from the Emirates for at least a year as the club look to get him off the books.
You can look at this as a win for Arsenal, who could look to sell Pepe for a substantially larger fee should he manage to reignite his form in the South of France.
Reports elsewhere suggest that OGC Nice want to finalise this deal and complete all formalities by Thursday in order to register Pepe for their game against Marseille on Sunday.