LONDON (Reuters) – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s tumultuous Arsenal profession is over after the membership confirmed on Tuesday that he had left by mutual consent, paving the best way for an anticipated transfer to Spanish giants Barcelona on a free switch.
The 32-year-old striker has not performed for Arsenal since December after supervisor Mikel Arteta stripped him of the captaincy on account of a “disciplinary breach”.
The Gabon worldwide was additionally despatched residence early from their Africa Cup of Nations marketing campaign after the Gabonese Football Federation mentioned cardiac lesions have been present in checks performed in Cameroon following a constructive COVID-19 check.
Having scored 22 league targets in each the 2018-19 and 2019-20 campaigns, Aubameyang may solely muster 10 league strikes the next time period as Arsenal completed eighth.
After a protracted, drawn-out contract saga, Arsenal tied down Aubameyang to a brand new three-year deal in 2020, a lot to the delight of Gunners followers, who have been determined for the striker to remain put.
Things have unravelled for Aubameyang this season and he leaves after scoring 4 Premier League targets in 2021-22, with the membership so determined to get him off their books they let him go away for nothing, 18 months earlier than his contract was up.
Barcelona have been trying to rebuild because the departure of Lionel Messi to Paris St Germain and the Catalan membership sits fifth within the LaLiga standings, 15 factors behind leaders and rivals Real Madrid.
In a quest to strengthen their attacking choices, Barca signed Spanish ahead Ferran Torres from Manchester City for round 55 million euros ($61.34 million) whereas additionally they took Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Adama Traore on mortgage.
The membership has additionally tried to dump French winger Ousmane Dembele, who has not performed since their Super Cup defeat by Real Madrid earlier this month.
($1 = 0.8967 euros)
(Reporting by Peter Hall and Rohith Nair; Editing by Toby Davis)
