Arsenal flop does not feature in manager Mikel Arteta's plans

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has reportedly deemed Nicolas Pepe surplus to requirements and is looking to offload the Ivory Coast international.

Pepe has failed to live up to the dizzy heights expected of him since joining for a then club-record fee of £72 million from Lille in 2019.

As a result, the 28-year-old was sent out on loan to Ligue 1 with Nice, but is now due to return to the Gunners.

According to Sky Sports, Pepe does not feature in the North Londoners' plans and the club could even decide to terminate his contract should no decent offer come in for the winger's services.

In terms of incoming transfers, the North Londoners are reportedly offering West Ham £100 million for England international Declan Rice - and should they fail in their bid - are believed to be lining up Brighton midfielder Moses Caicedo for £70 million.

Meanwhile, the club are reportedly desperate to tie down defender William Saliba to a four-year deal, but the two parties are struggling to agree terms with reports with reports suggesting a sour relationship between the Frenchman and Arteta as the main obstacle.