Barcelona tracking Arsenal striker as a Lautaro Martinez backup

Aubameyang is admired by Barcelona and is considered as the backup option.

With less than a year left in his contract, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is negotiating with Arsenal over an improved deal to extend his stay with the London club. Previously, the Gabon striker was considering various options to choose the best option for his career which, sadly, is approaching its end.

Even now, Aubameyang is open to leaving the Gunners should the club fail to offer terms which don’t match his ambitions- both financially and sporting. In my previous report, the contract demands of the player were revealed.

Reportedly, the striker craves a weekly salary in the region of £250,000 with a contract duration of at least three years. Now, the length of the deal is the potential sticking point as the clubs are reluctant to offer above 24 months.

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As things stand, there is nothing concrete agreed yet with initial level dialogues happening between the club and player’s entourage. With Aubameyang seeking a last big pay-check of his career, it would be interesting to see the conclusion this story has for us.

Previously, Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager, was optimistic over his superstar’s ongoing contract negotiations with the club. The Spanish tactician expects the 31-year-old to extend his stay with the club.

"“I am very positive with that,”“Every time I speak with him [Aubameyang] he is really happy where he is, he is very settled and his family are happy. Hopefully he will be on board for a long time.”“He can see what we are trying to do and hopefully he can evolve as well some parts of his game he might feel he can improve. We are pushing him every day.”“I leave that to the football club and the senior people that finalise the contracts.” (Quotes via ESPN)"

Same as before, Barcelona continue to monitor Aubameyang’s situation at Arsenal and could make an attempt to lure the striker if the LaLiga side fails to land their priority target Lautaro Martinez.

Now, Inter Milan, given their intense planning to catch Juventus next season, are playing their cards carefully, particularly since the economic meltdown owing to the pandemic.

Barcelona, till now, have failed to match €111m release clause set by Inter Milan in Lautaro Martinez’s contract. Instead, the Azulgranas have offered €70m plus Junior Firpo to the Nerazzurri.

Despite Firpo having an admirer in Conte, Inter have stalled the deal and Barcelona have not received any response from the Serie A outfit, yet, on their latest offer.

As things stand, Barcelona is said to be tracking Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and have identified the player as a cheaper alternative to Martinez, citing less than a year left in Gabonese’s agreement.

The Arsenal skipper, himself, is keen on a move to Camp Nou given the player’s life-long ambition to feature for either Barcelona or Real Madrid. Considering Aubameyang’s age, this could be his last chance to fulfil his dream.

Do you think Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will extend his contract at Arsenal?