Arsenal prepared for late Aubameyang transfer bids

The footballing world will finally close its doors on another eventful summer transfer window on August 31 with the usual mad dash to the finish line expected to take place. Arsenal, while more active than most, are still due to be busy.

What side of the ‘busy’ spectrum is what fans are keen to find out. It’s almost certainly going to be a mass of outgoings with a large number of players still either eyeing summer departures or unwillingly going to be moved on.

There are some, like Willian, who are certain to take place while others, like Eddie Nketiah, still hang in the balance as the all-important final negotiation stages are underway. Should players be moved on as hoped then Mikel Arteta may be able to sign the right-back his side sorely need.

Who else could go? It’s been doing the rounds recently that Arsenal have been open to offers for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this window – as if they wouldn’t be – all of which come with the glaring caveat of nobody being able to afford him.

Arsenal prepared for late Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang transfer bids from Serie A sides and La Liga

Will any clubs try?

As per Alex Wood of the Sunday Mirror, not only with a few clubs try, Arsenal are even expecting a late flurry of interest for the captain several top sides in Serie A and Barcelona (really?) all said to be in the mix with late bids on the cards.

What a gigantic load of nonsense. It’s lazy and opportunistic that attempts to cover all the bases but addresses none.

Arteta came out prior to the Manchester City defeat and quite clearly stated that Aubameyang was going nowhere this summer. Compare his comments to those of players like Willian and Sead Kolasinac and it’s a different story entirely.

Even on the off chance a bid of acceptable value were to come in, there is no time to go out and secure a replacement in these late stages. Not least for a player of his calibre who is readily available.

In these late stages of the window there is no way Arsenal will entertain a sale, one they undoubtedly would have considered earlier in the window. This, of course, doesn’t factor in the wages in question, which total around £250k-per-week, as well as any transfer fee that Arsenal would command with him having two years left to run on his deal.

The transfer window coughs up plenty of surprises. None would shock the system more than Arsenal selling their captain with hours to go before the window slams shut.