Xavi's Previous Comments About Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Are Incredibly Awkward To Read Nowadays
Aubameyang is set to be confirmed as a Barcelona player later today.
Barcelona manager Xavi's previous comments about new signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have reemerged and they're quite awkward to read.
Aubameyang is set to be confirmed as a Barcelona player on Tuesday after agreeing to terminate his contract with Arsenal.
The 32-year-old should be a solid addition to the Blaugrana's squad, but Xavi himself has reservations judging by his comments a few years ago.
"[Sadio] Mane and Aubemayang can kill you in open space," Xavi said in 2020 according to FourFourTwo. "But Barcelona need players who know how to move in small spaces.
"I am thinking about players who would adapt to Barcelona and it’s not easy to find one. Samuel Eto’o was perfect as is Luis Suarez right now."
Aubameyang was Arsenal captain before being stripped of the title by Mikel Arteta last year for disciplinary reasons.
The Gabon international won the FA Cup and Community Shield with the Gunners before losing his place to Alexandre Lacazette.
His departure will save Arsenal around £15 million in wages, but the Gunners failed to find a replacement and it means their options until may are Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah.
It's believed Aubameyang will sign an 18-month deal with Barcelona but the exact terms are unknown.
Barcelona have made a number of signings in January as they look to reach the Champions League places in La Liga.
Adama Traore has returned to the club on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Ferran Torres arrived in a £55 million deal from Manchester City.
Club legend Dani Alves also arrived as a free agent earlier in the month.
In terms of outgoings, the club managed to offload Philippe Coutinho on loan to Aston Villa and sent Yusuf Demir back to Rapid Vienna.
One player they didn't manage to move on however is Ousmane Dembele.
The France international is out of contract in the summer and Barcelona were desperate to offload him in last month.
A number of English clubs were lined up and the Catalan giants even attempted to use him in a deal for Aubameyang.
Dembele had no interest in moving to the Emirates Stadium however and Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur showed little interest in chasing a move.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Xavi, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Arsenal, Barcelona
Daniel Marland