Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's Loan Move To Barcelona Falls Through After He Travels To Spain
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's proposed loan move to Barcelona has fallen through, just hours after the Arsenal forward was spotted in a Spanish airport on transfer deadline day.
The Gabon international, who is currently on a reported £350,000-a-week at Arsenal, had an agreement in principle to join the La Liga side on loan.
And on Monday morning, Aubameyang was filmed leaving El Prat airport before being pictured in a car nearby.
💣💣💣 LA BOMBA DEL DÍA en @JijantesFC 💣💣💣
— Gerard Romero (@gerardromero) January 31, 2022
La llegada de @Auba al PRAT
#mercato pic.twitter.com/6PecvqkYzc
Despite travelling to Barcelona in the hope of securing a transfer, it was said that a deal would only go through if the Spanish giants managed to offload at least one player in the coming hours, per The Guardian.
Ousmane Dembele was one of the names being linked with a move away from the Camp Nou. In fact, The Independent say Dembele was offered to Arsenal as part of the Aubameyang deal.
But it didn't take long for transfer expert Fabrizio Romano to confirm that Dembele had no interest in joining Arsenal.
Understand Ousmane Dembélé has no interest in joining Arsenal on #DeadlineDay as part of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. 🔴 #AFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 31, 2022
Barça will try to find a solution to sign Aubameyang while he’s in the city - huge salary reduction needed to complete this move.
According to initial reports, Aubameyang travelled to Barcelona in the hope of completing a deal but new details have emerged surrounding Aubameyang's intentions in regards to the trip.
The Athletic correspondent David Ornstein says the 32-year-old striker will now return to London from what is said to have been a 'family trip' to the Spanish city.
The report also states that the proposed loan deal collapsed because of a disagreement over salary.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Barcelona / Arsenal talks for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang loan have broken down over salary. 32yo returning to London from what’s said to have been a family trip to Spanish city. Unless #FCBarcelona find major money it’s off @TheAthleticUK #AFC https://t.co/eRNFZ74LsC
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) January 31, 2022
Some on social media have since compared Aubameyang's situation to that of Peter Odemwingie, the former West Brom striker who travelled 120 miles to QPR's training ground in an attempt to force through a deal.
Unfortunately for Odemwingie, a transfer never materialised and this infamous clip was born.
Remember this? 👇
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 31, 2022
Are there similarities between the Peter Odemwingie and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang situation? pic.twitter.com/cs2z83v9tB
Aubameyang has been linked with a transfer since being stripped of the captaincy in December following another disciplinary breach.
He hasn't featured for the North London club since their 2-1 defeat to Everton on December 6.
Thoughts on Aubameyang's current situation at Arsenal? Do you think Mikel Arteta will give the forward minutes if he ends up staying in North London?
Let us know in the comments.
Topics: Football, Arsenal, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Transfers, Barcelona
Jack Kenmare