Arsenal’s high-priced winger Nicolas Pepe is finally on the move away from the club. He has been signed by French team OGC Nice for a season-long loan.
Pepe arrived at Arsenal in 2019 for a record price of 72 million euros. This was the most money Arsenal had paid in their club’s history to acquire a player. However, Pepe couldn’t live up to the price tag.
In the three seasons for the Gunners, the Ivory Coast player could only accumulate 27 goals in 112 appearances. This was far below the expectation that he brought with him. As a result, the club loaned him out to League 1.
Nicolas Pepe contract details
Nicolas Pepe has a contract with Arsenal that expires in 2024. Therefore, OGC Nice is not provided with the option of buying the player at the end of the season. Although they will be taking care of wages of Pepe.
This move can be significant from the player’s point of view. Considering Pepe has had a great run in League 1 in the past, people will expect similar performance.
Pepe earlier represented Lille in the French league before moving to Arsenal. And scored around 37 for the French team in some 79 appearances. He scored 22 of them goals in his final season with Lille, which earned him a move to Arsenal.
It will be a tough job for Pepe to settle in the OGC Nice squad. Especially if one considers the contrasting start Arsenal and OGC Nice have had. On the one hand, we have Arsenal, which is soaring high on the premier league points table with three wins. OGC Nice, however, is yet to register a single victory this season.
