Arsenal 'Paid Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang A £7m Lump Sum' To Terminate His Contract At The Emirates
Aubameyang has now joined Barcelona on a free transfer.
Arsenal reportedly paid Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang a lump sum of nearly £7m to terminate his contract at the Emirates.
Aubameyang, 32, has left Arsenal to join Barcelona on a free transfer, signing a deal with the Catalan club until 2025.
According to The Times, Arsenal paid the huge lump sum to rip up his £350,000-a-week contract at the club and facilitate his move to the Nou Camp.
Aubameyang is believed to have taken a pay cut to join Barcelona, who confirmed the striker as their player on Wednesday.
It is the second time in recent years that Arsenal have terminated the contract of their highest-paid player.
The Gunners agreed to end Mesut Ozil’s contract at the Emirates in January last year to enable his move to Fenerbahce.
Ozil was also believed to be on a £350,000-a-week deal at Arsenal, who reportedly agreed to pay 90 per cent of his wages in his first six months at Fenerbahce – costing them £7.38m.
Arsenal have also terminated the deals of other players in recent years, including Willian, Sead Kolasinac and Shkodran Mustafi.
Former club captain Aubameyang is the latest player to be allowed to leave Arsenal for free, after falling out with manager Mikel Arteta.
Aubameyang was stripped of the captaincy in December after a disciplinary breach, with his last appearance for the senior side coming in a defeat to Everton on December 6.
On Tuesday, Aubameyang posted a farewell message to Arsenal’s supporters on Instagram.
"Thank you for making London home for myself and my family for the past four years. We went through ups and downs together and your support meant everything to me,” he wrote.
"Having the chance to win trophies and the honour of being the captain of this club is something I will forever keep in my heart.
"I have always been 100% focused and committed on doing everything I can for this club which is why leaving without a real goodbye hurts - but that is football.
"I'm sad I did not get the chance to help my teammates in the last few weeks, but I have nothing but respect for this club and truly wish all my guys and the fans all the best and many successful years in the future!
"Love, Auba."
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Arsenal, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Football, Premier League, Transfers, Barcelona, La Liga
Rory O'Callaghan