Arsenal’s Aubameyang Offered To FC Barcelona, Say Reports

Six full days remain in the current transfer window where a striker is regarded as the top priority for FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez.

With Ansu Fati injured, Martin Braithwaite only just returning to action, and Luuk de Jong’s future up in the air, Barca need another ‘9’ for their Champions League push and have a must-win fixture at home to fourth-placed Atletico Madrid next up on their calendar after concluding their ongoing fortnight break.

Aware of this, Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has reportedly offered himself to the Catalans, say El Chiringuito, given that his relationship has completely broken down with Mikel Arteta who stripped him of the captaincy in mid-December.

“The decision we have taken as a club is very clear,” Arteta said at the time. “It is because we believe he has failed to be committed as the level we all expect and agree. It is as simple as that.

“What I expect from any person in this football club, that is representing this badge, is passion and that he gives absolutely 100%, that he puts the club in front of any personal interests and is able to do anything to fulfil the badge we have on the chest. Apart from that, you can listen to individuals and you can understand different cultures, but that commitment and passion has to be there. Unfortunately, it wasn’t.”

Other teams interested in the Gabon international, who has scored four goals in 14 appearances this season, include Paris Saint Germain and Juventus.

Signing from Borussia Dortmund in 2018 for a then club record of $75.6mn, Aubameyang is expected to leave in the coming days or in the summer. Aged 32, his advancing years might put potential suitors off with Barca more interested in Alvaro Morata.

And though the deal for him previously seemed to be off, Juventus closing in on Fiorentina hitman Dusan Vlahovic for $84.6 million has reportedly resulted in the Serie A giants and Atletico Madrid giving the green light to the Blaugrana to sign the Spain international for almost half that amount, which will still be a push given Barca’s spiraling debts of over $1.5bn.