The transfer window closed at Monday midnight but Barcelona gained some extra time to make the deal official because Aubameyang reportedly became a free agent before the deadline.
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Barcelona have signed striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on a free transfer from Arsenal. The Gunners became willing to allow the 32-year-old to leave after stripping him of the captaincy, in December following a disciplinary issue. Aubameyang didn’t play for the club after December 6, and was left out of their squad for their warm-weather training camp in Dubai. He had also been linked with a switch to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassar. Meanwhile the prolific striker has scored 92 goals in 163 appearances for Arsenal.
Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang joins Barcelona, done deal and here we go. Contract agreed and now set to be signed by Aubameyang in Barcelona headquarters. Medical successfully completed. ?? #FCB
Arsenal will save his huge salary as they wanted. Deal in place. #AFC #DeadlineDay pic.twitter.com/IZEDCj2Zky
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 31, 2022
Aubameyang arrived in the Catalan city earlier on Monday to finalize negotiations with Barcelona. The transfer window closed at Monday midnight but Barcelona gained some extra time to make the deal official because Aubameyang reportedly became a free agent before the deadline.
The Gabon international went to the Africa cup of Nations but didn’t play after being diagnosed with heart lesions during his recovery from the COVID-19. The striker leaves the Emirates stadium inside the final 18 months of a contract worth GBP 350,000 a week. Arsenal are estimated to be making a saving of around GBP 25 million in wages with Aubameyang’s departure.
Meanwhile the 32-year-old’s exit means Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is left with only two recognised strikers in his squad, with both Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah out of contract in the summer.
Aubameyang, Arsenal’s highest-paid player, reportedly had to accept a hefty pay cut to join Barcelona as the club doesn’t have a lot of salary cap space. The La Liga side has been slowly restructuring its finances after it failed to keep Lionel Messi at the end of last season. The Catalan club recently signed striker Ferran Torres from Manchester City and Adama Traore on loan from Wolves
Barcelona boss Xavi was desperate to add more fire power to his attacking department and to a large extent, he has achieved his target. Aubameyang is a proven goal scorer while Torres is one of the most promising young forwards in world football. And, 26-year-old Traore offers a completely different dimension, with his electric pace and supreme physical prowess.
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