Barcelona sign Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has joined Barcelona on a free transfer.

Reports have confirmed that Aubameyang, 32, has completed a medical and has finalized his move to the Catalan club.

After it looked as though talks had broken down between Barcelona and Arsenal and the loan move was off due to the large wage demands, one of the most anticipated signings of the January transfer window has now been finalized.

The rollercoaster ride seemed to be over when news came out that he was in the hospital performing the medical with La Blaugrana. Then reports came of the lethal striker at the club offices, in order to sign the contract before the transfer deadline loomed at midnight local time.

Aubameyang joins Barcelona on a free transfer.

Aubameyang is a welcome addition to the Barca attack. The Gabon international striker scored 92 goals in 163 total appearances for the Gunners. He is one of the best in the world at making quality runs in and behind the opposition defense, skillful on the ball, good in the air and can finish with both feet.

This could be huge for Xavi’s side, who have looked stodgy and unimaginative in their last two outings. When a unit like Deportivo Alaves last weekend set up with a narrow shape and defended well on a frozen pitch in front of the home crowd, we saw a Barca team with plenty of possession but no cutting edge struggle to break down the opponent and get behind the defense.

This move seems to have been made regardless of whether a deal is done to ship Ousmane Dembele off but that situation is yet to be decided and looks unlikely at this late stage of the window.

The arrival of Aubameyang signifies a positive couple of days for the Catalan club, having picked up Adama Traore on Sunday. Traore’s pace and strength on the wing will be another asset for Barcelona in their hunt for Champions League football as the second half on La Liga continues after the winter break.