Arsenal are ‘close’ to agreeing a loan deal with Barcelona for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to reports.
The Gunners are looking to relocate Aubameyang before the close of the January transfer window after a disciplinary breach saw him stripped of the captaincy.
He hasn’t played for Arsenal since December 6 and did not feature at the Africa Cup of Nations due to health issues following his contraction of Covid-19.
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He has been heavily linked with a move away from the club, with Barcelona having emerged as frontrunners over the weekend.
According to The Athletic, an agreement between the two clubs is edging closer, with Aubameyang’s salary the only remaining issue to be resolved.
Arsenal will waive a loan fee but want Barcelona to commit to the vast majority of his £350,000-a-week wages, which is a lot to ask given the Spanish club’s dire financial situation.
If a deal cannot be reached before 11:59pm on Monday, then Aubameyang will be stuck at Arsenal for the rest of the season.
Arsenal legend Ray Parlour feels he should be given another chance by Mikel Arteta as “he’s that good.”
“Of course they need him,” he told talkSPORT. “But you’ve also got to show your dominance as a manager and say you can’t be doing stuff – especially when you have a young team.
“As a captain you’ve got to set a good example, which is very important.
“I’d look up to Tony Adams back in the day and he set the example – and not by going to the pub by the way – but by being on time and making sure when you wear that shirt you play for the team. Stuff like that you learn as you go along.
“But the young players will look at that and see he’s turning up late and not doing this and will be thinking: ‘Can we do that as well?’
“It’s not a good look for Arsenal Football Club.
“Arteta’s come down strong on him and now it’s all about the reaction, for me. I’d give him another chance because he’s that good and can score you goals.”
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