Barcelona set to sign Aubameyang on a free transfer

Pierre Emerick Aubameyang has left Arsenal after his contract was terminated by mutual consent and he will now join Barcelona for free. (Photo credit: Arsenal.com)

Arsenal in a swift, yet disturbing manner terminated Pierre Emerick Aubameyang’s contract at Arsenal, paving way for a free transfer move to Barcelona.

The Gabonese striker had pulled off a repeat of Osaze Odewingie’s deadline day stunt of showing up uninvited at proposed club’s office by traveling to Catalonia without any Barca official waiting for him at the airport.

The club were keen to offload Aubameyang's wage -- which starts at £250,000 a week -- after a deterioration in his relationship with manager Mikel Arteta, having been relieved of his captaincy duties following a series of disciplinary issues before being left behind as the first-team squad traveled to Dubai for a winter training break earlier this month.

Barca's financial troubles are well-documented and they told the north London club that they could only pay a small portion of Aubameyang's wage in any loan agreement, with news outlets reporting the striker was willing to take pay cut to see the move happen.

But after talks threatened to collapse on Monday, the two sides later found a compromise in which Aubameyang signs on a free transfer, meaning Arsenal are rid of his wage for good and Barcelona get their man.

Aubameyang hasn’t played for the club since Dec. 6 and he was sent home from the Africa Cup of Nations after medical tests had shown he had cardiac lesions. He had previously tested positive for COVID-19 upon arriving in Cameroon for the tournament.

Arsenal however didn’t sign a replacement for the either the departed striker or any of the players allowed to leave on loan and permanently, prompting outrage among the fans for the danger ahead in case of long term injury or suspensions.