Arsenal make Aubameyang transfer breakthrough with Barcelona

Arsenal continue to plug away in the background as they scramble to get deals signed off before Monday’s deadline, yet the case still remains that departures are more likely .

Moving on five this window, including two permanently in Sead Kolasinac and Calum Chambers, it was felt that attentions would then turn to moves in the opposite direction.

While that remains in the club’s thinking, it is exits that keep being mooted over new arrivals with the situation regarding Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang particularly noteworthy.

Ostracised from the team after his “latest disciplinary breach” prompted Mikel Arteta to strip him of the captaincy, the 32-year-old has not kicked a ball for the club since December 6. It doesn’t like he ever will again.

Arsenal make Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang transfer breakthrough with Barcelona on deal that only requires Ousmane Dembele to be sold in January

Not included in the 30-man squad that jetted off to Dubai for warm weather training, the plan was to be in a position where a move for Aubameyang could be signed off in quick time. Numerous clubs have come forward to offer an escape route, with Al Hilal’s approach the most financially beneficial to Arsenal, but it appears as if Barcelona are now leading the charge.

Having made an official approach alongside Juventus, Gerard Romero now reports that there has been a breakthrough in negotiations between Arsenal and Barcelona over the terms of the loan deal.

An economic agreement has been found, one that will be centering around what portion of his £350k-per-week salary will be covered by Arsenal, on a loan deal until the end of the season. There will be no option to obligation to buy.

With Barcelona failing to strike a deal with Juventus and Atletico Madrid for Alvaro Morata , they have now pushed ahead to try and sign Aubameyang. And they will, so long as Ousmane Dembele is sold in the coming days.

He is all that stands between Barça signing his old Borussia Dortmund teammate or not, with the Frenchman unwilling to sign a new contract as he enters the last six months of his current deal. Xavi has made no secret of his desire to move the World Cup winner on, and if successful it will open the door for Aubameyang to replace him in the squad. With a deal in place, it now all hinges on a matter out of Arsenal’s control.

Other reports claim that Eddie Nketiah will follow Aubameyang out of the Emirates doors this month with Newcastle set to sign him, although with still no sign of a striker incoming and the former skipper closing in on his departure, Arsenal could well have to pull the plug on that deal.

The clock is ever ticking.