Arsenal close to completing Aubameyang loan deal with Barcelona

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is set to leave Arsenal in the January transfer window. The former club captain is closing in on a loan move to Barcelona.

What a staggering fall from grace.

Ever since being ostracised from the squad for his “latest disciplinary breach”, Aubameyang has not kicked a ball for the club, nor has he even trained with the rest of his teammates. His last involvement stands as a late miss in the 2-1 defeat to Everton on December 6.

Talks have been ongoing with Juventus and Barcelona over a move for the striker, with the two European giants making official approaches to sign the 32-year-old. There was also interest from Saudi Arabia.

Arsenal close to completing Aubameyang loan deal with Barcelona as striker looks set to join Xavi’s side before the January transfer window deadline

As per David Ornstein, however, it is Barcelona who look set to win the race with negotiations at an advanced stage after a significant advancement in talks over the weekend.

It was previously reported that a breakthrough had been made, with even the issue of how much of his salary will be paid by either club said to have been resolved. These claims appear to be wide of the mark, with that element of the deal all that is left to be arranged.

Barcelona will not pay a loan fee for Aubameyang, nor will there be an option or obligation to buy at the end of the season. What Arsenal would like in return is that as Barcelona pick up as much of his £350k-per-week salary as possible.

That would constitute significant financial reprieve for Arsenal with the Gabon international by far the highest paid player at the club, although at this stage it isn’t known how much the Gunners will still have to fork out. Given Barcelona’s crippling finances, it might not be anywhere near as much as they hope.

Reports had said this move was contingent on Ousmane Dembele being moved on, but those are said to be wide of the mark. Meanwhile, despite being spotted in London, there are currently no developments on the proposed signing of Alexander Isak.

It brings an end to a long-lasting saga over his future. Since being banished from the rest of the group, and not being included in the Dubai training camp, a route back into the team for him has looked impossible. Generally, when a player is frozen out by Mikel Arteta, for whatever reason, it signals the beginning of the end.

Will this move open the door for a new arrival? That is the question on everyone’s lips as the final 17 Premier League matches of the season look set to be finished by Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah as the striker options.