Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is preparing to ‘take matters into his own hands’ as he tries to convince captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to put pen to paper on an extended contract at the Emirates Stadium.
Aubameyang has been in sensational form again this season, scoring 20 goals in all competitions before football’s enforced break. Although primarily a striker, he has continued to shine on the left wing.
However, the former Borussia Dortmund star’s future has been the subject of much debate in recent months. The 30-year-old has just one year left on his current deal and there is growing talk that he could soon be on his way out of the club.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang/DeFodi Images/Getty Images
Aubameyang is said to be ‘seriously considering’ his future in January, amid speculation he could move to Barcelona. While a move to the Camp Nou never materialised, a source confirmed to 90 Minutes in March that Arsenal were prepared to let him go in the summer as they did not want to risk losing their star man for free next summer. want Chelsea were one of the teams to show an interest in the forward.
90 Minutes further learned in April that the Gunners have no plans to engage in further contract negotiations and, as a result, are looking to sell him before the start of the 2020/21 season.
More recently, reports elsewhere suggested that the north London giants had offered Aubameyang a new contract to stay at the club, but it was later revealed that this was not the case. However, The Telegraph report that Arsenal boss Arteta is now ready to take matters into his own hands.
Arsenal have no plans to negotiate a further contract with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and will try to sell him before the end of his contract! ? https://t.co/JW74Eeucrz
— 90 Minutes (@90min_Football) April 16, 2020
The report notes that while the Gunners know they could be forced to part ways with their captain in the next transfer window, Arteta is ‘keen’ to tie him down to a new deal as he is Wants to build a team around.
Arteta is ‘preparing to start’ talks with the player and his father, and hopes to convince them that under his management, the club can challenge for the top four and win trophies. Is. However, the Telegraph notes that convincing Aubameyang will not be easy as he is ‘desperate’ to play in the Champions League again and wants to play in a winning team.
If Arteta fails to convince Aubameyang to stay, the Gunners could be forced to sell him in the summer for around £35million. There is plenty of interest in the Gabon international – PSG and Inter, as well as Chelsea and others, are keen to sign him.