Barcelona are interested in loaning Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang during the January transfer window after being alerted to the striker’s exile at Arsenal, according to the Daily Mail.
Mikel Arteta has told the Gabon international to train alone at the Gunners’ London Colney facilities, after stripping him of the club’s captaincy following a ‘latest’ disciplinary breach.
Aubameyang is likely to remain working alone until he departs for the Africa Cup of Nations next month. Arteta has already omitted the 32-year-old from his last three Premier League matchday squads, which returned three wins.
Barcelona are now examining approaching Arsenal over a loan deal for Aubameyang in the January transfer window. The La Liga giants are looking for two new centre-forwards next month after Sergio Aguero’s retirement, having already had a striker on their shopping list.
Manchester City’s versatile Ferran Torres features high on Xavi Hernandez’s shortlist, but the cash-strapped Blaugrana face a £50m asking price. Manchester United’s Edison Cavani is also under review, but the Red Devils want the Uruguayan to stay until the summer.
Aubameyang would carry a lesser upfront fee for Barcelona to sign from Arsenal on loan in the January transfer window. However, his £350k-a-week wage could be a stumbling block.
Barcelona are only likely to have a budget of around €10m (£8.5m) for the winter sales, per ESPN. They remain battling crippling debt, while La Liga slashed their budget for the term to €97m (£83m). Those funds included sacking Ronald Koeman plus any new contracts.
Should Arsenal loan Aubameyang to Barcelona in January?
Arsenal will likely welcome a chance to offload Aubameyang in January, but would prefer a permanent deal than Barcelona’s loan transfer approach in order to enjoy a clean break.
Aubameyang’s lucrative contract runs until 2023, but his form has not been reflective of his wage. The £56m arrival from 2018 has scored just four goals in 14 Premier League games this season. He has also failed to net in his last six outings and has just one assist so far.
Arteta has also seen Gabriel Martinelli and Alexandre Lacazette enjoy an upturn in form since axing Aubameyang. So, he may feel Arsenal are well stocked without the Gabon ace.
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