The Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Barcelona transfer saga seems to have been going on for an age. After it seemed clear near the start of the January transfer window that the Gabon international was no longer wanted by Mikel Arteta, alternative destinations were explored. Saudi Arabian Side Al Nassr had a deal turned down by Aubameyang despite the financial compensation they offered, with European football being the striker’s number one target. Now, he is joining Barcelona as they attempt to qualify for Champions League football next season.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Barcelona Transfer Saga Comes to an End
Aubameyang Leaving After Mixed Relationship With North London Club
The former Borussia Dortmund man has had a mixed time since moving to the Emirates Stadium in January 2018.
Aubameyang completed his deadline day transfer to Arsenal exactly four years to the day before he would leave North London in favour of a career in Spain.
His start to life in the English capital was very positive, scoring 22 league goals in both of his first two full seasons at the club. This earned him many plaudits, as well as gaining him a joint golden boot for his goalscoring output in the 2018/19 campaign. The season after, he would miss out on successive league top scorer awards by one goal.
However, since signing a new contract in September 2020, Aubameyang’s performances have gone downhill.
The 32-year-old has averaged a Premier League goal every 240 minutes since the start of the 2020/21 campaign, something that has frustrated many Arsenal fans. Alongside his poor disciplinary record, this eventually led to his omission from Arsenal’s squad in Early December 2021. He never returned to Mikel Arteta’s travelling team.
Now, not having played an Arsenal match for almost two months, the striker is joining Spanish giants Barcelona, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that the deal has been completed after many twists and turns throughout deadline day.
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