Barcelona’s loan deal for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is off, according to reports.
The Athletic has announced that the deal has broken down due to the extravagant wage demands required to secure the Gabon international forward. The two clubs could not agree on the salary coverage for the rest of the season.
Aubameyang, 32, was spotted in Barcelona on Monday morning ahead of the closing of the January transfer window. Positive reports said that he would lower his wages and join Xavi’s squad but unless there is another dramatic twist in the tale, it appears that the striker is heading back to London.
Arsenal has been hoping to release Aubameyang’s wages off the books due to the fallout with boss Mikel Arteta earlier this season. Once captain of the Gunners, his armband was stripped by the Spanish manager after a disciplinary breach and he has not played since the start of December.
Arsenal and Barcelona could not finalize loan deal for Aubameyang
Aubameyang would have been a welcome addition to the Barca attack. The 32-year-old would have slotted in to the three-headed unit used by Xavi, preferably as the frontman to replace Luuk de Jong with new boys Adama Traore and Ferran Torres alongside him.
The hotshot striker has scored 92 goals in 163 games for Arsenal and was just as prolific at Borussia Dortmund before that, scoring 141 in 213 total appearances for the Bundesliga club.
However, doubts about the clinical finisher existed for Culers, including his age, motivation, bad temperament and attitude in North London. Xavi’s job is difficult enough at the moment as chemistry and personality remain issues for the Catalan side.
La Blaugrana will now focus on other options at the number nine position if a deal can get over the line before the deadline.