Arsenal Striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joins Barcelona On Free Transfer
Barcelona finally confirmed the signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on Wednesday, handing the 32-year-old a contract until 2025 but with a break clause after 18 months.
The striker joined Barça on a free transfer on Wednesday, after he left Arsenal in one of the most unceremonial manners.. A few weeks prior to his exit, Arteta stripped him the Arsenal captaincy for multiple disciplinary breaches and after being banished from the club’s first team, an incident which characterized the pair’s rocky history.
The Gabon international joined Barcelona on deadline day in what was a bitter end to an impressive four-year spell at the Emirates.
Arteta and Aubameyang’s rocky history was made public after he was stripped of the captaincy in early December following a disciplinary breach as he arrived back late from a sanctioned trip to France.
Aubameyang has signed for Barca just 18 months after head coach Xavi insisted the forward would not be a good signing for the Catalan giants.
The 32-year-old left the Gunners by mutual consent, allowing him to join Barca on a free transfer on deadline day after the deal originally looked to have fallen through on Monday afternoon.
The player moved to their club on a free transfer and his contract runs till 2025 however, there is an option for him to departure in 2023 as well. The player had to significantly lower the wage that he was getting at the London club however, he wants to play for Barca and end his amazing career in style.
He is still one of the best in his position and his speed makes him a very intimidating attacker. It will be interesting to see how he fits into the Xavi philosophy however, with his years of experience, it will not be too hard to settle down into a new system.
The break clause can be activated in June 2023, Barca confirmed, when his Arsenal contract had been due to expire.
“The player will sign a contract until 30 June 2025 with an option to agree departure on 30 June 2023 and his buy out clause will be set at 100 million euros,” a Barcelona statement read.
Aubameyang’s surprise move brings an end to an increasingly embittered spell at Arsenal, who will be relieved to be rid of his wages, which reportedly started at 300,000 euros ($337,000) a week.
Barcelona, meanwhile, will believe one of the world’s deadliest finishers in his prime can now fire them into La Liga’s top four, with Champions League qualification essential to the club’s hopes of financial recovery.
Barcelona are “one of the biggest clubs in the world and that is why I have signed for Barca”, he said.
“It was a very long day, but in the end I’m here, I’m looking forward to it and I’m very happy.”
French-born Aubameyang is, like his father Pierre, a Gabon international. His mother was born near Madrid before moving to France as a child.
“I’m very proud especially because my family is Spanish by my mother’s side,” said Aubameyang.
