Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will take a salary reduction to push through Barcelona transfer

LondonWorld understands that former Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang flew to Barcelona to avoid complications of completing the transfer in England.
Rahman Osman
By Rahman Osman
Published 31st Jan 2022, 13:11 BST
Updated 31st Jan 2022, 13:24 BST
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Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is in Barcelona to try and seal a loan move that could eventually lead to a permanent exit from the Emirates.

The striker has not played for the Gunners since November 2021, after falling out with manager Mikel Artate for returning late from a family trip abroad.

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For his punishment, Arteta decided to strip him off the captaincy and banish him to the reserves, which is where he has played out his final days at Arsenal.

Aubameyang has agreed to salary reduction from his £300,000-a-week wages to force through a move to the Catalans, who are in the market for a proven striker like the Gabon captain.

Barcelona have reached an agreement to loan Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang until the end of the season but the move hinges on the club being able to offload Ousmane Dembele before Monday’s transfer deadline (Metro)Barcelona have reached an agreement to loan Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang until the end of the season but the move hinges on the club being able to offload Ousmane Dembele before Monday’s transfer deadline (Metro)
Barcelona have reached an agreement to loan Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang until the end of the season but the move hinges on the club being able to offload Ousmane Dembele before Monday’s transfer deadline (Metro)

LondonWorld understands that he flew to Barcelona this morning to try and avoid complications that could arise from a remaining in England on transfer deadline day.

Barcelona are in a complicated place financially, and will have to try and ship out one of their high earners to accommodate Aubameyang, who is desperate for a fresh start.

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French winger Ousmane Dembélé, whose time in Barcelona has been plagued by injuries, is said to be open to a move away that will open the window for Aubameyang.

At the time of writing, both Aubameyang and Barcelona were confident of sealing the deal, and it will take a significant turn around for the deal not to happen.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameynag of Arsenal during a training session at London Colney (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) Pierre-Emerick Aubameynag of Arsenal during a training session at London Colney (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameynag of Arsenal during a training session at London Colney (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Barcelona have been busy in the transfer window, already bringing in Manchester City’s Ferran Torres and Wolverhamton’s Adama Traore - who was linked to Tottenham.

But manager Xavi wants a lethal finisher with experience and pedigree, which is why they have looked to take advantage of the chaos around Aubameyang and Arsenal to make the deal happen.

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The Gabon striker has scored 68 Premier League goals in 128 games and provided 16 assists since joining the Gunners in 2008.

He is the only striker to have won the Premier League Golden Boot for the Gunners since 2012, while he joined Liverpool duo Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah at the top of the goal scoring charts in 2019.

Related topics:BarcelonaArsenalEngland

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