Transfer roundup: Nice in talks over loan for Arsenal’s Pépé and West Ham target Vanaken

Nice are in talks with Arsenal over a deal to sign Nicolas Pépé on a season-long loan just three years after the Ivory Coast forward joined for a club-record fee of £72m.

Pépé – whose transfer from Lille in August 2019 also made him the most expensive African player of all-time – has yet to make an appearance for Arsenal this campaign having started only five Premier League matches for Mikel Arteta’s side last season. Nice expressed an interest in taking the 27-year-old on loan and have held talks with Arsenal over a deal, although they remain in negotiations over his salary.

It is understood that the loan deal does not include a buy option for Pépé, whose contract expires in 2024.

Elsewhere, West Ham are now pushing to sign Club Brugge captain Hans Vanaken after submitting a new bid of €11m guaranteed plus add-ons. Emerson Palmieri has completed his move from Chelsea in a deal worth an initial £13m and £2m in add-ons.

The Brazilian – who joined Chelsea from Roma in January 2018 – isn’t the only defender that may be on their way out of Stamford Bridge. Internazionale are trying to sign centre-back Trevoh Chalobah on loan whilst Spezia have asked for Ethan Ampadu on loan.

Marseille have completed the signing of Manchester United centre-back Eric Bailly on loan. The move includes a mandatory buy clause if the French side were to qualify for the Champions League.

In the Championship, Sunderland are hoping to sign Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Édouard Michut. There are reports that multiple teams are interested in the 19-year-old midfielder.